Adedayo Akinwale of Abuja
APC Confirms Kassim Shettima as Bola Tinubu’s Running Mate for 2027 Elections
After months of speculation regarding Vice President Kassim Shettima’s political standing and the possibility of his replacement in the upcoming 2027 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially designated him as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for next year’s general elections. This announcement aims to quell uncertainty surrounding Shettima’s position.
There were earlier concerns that President Tinubu might opt for a different running mate, potentially selecting a northern Christian candidate. However, recent discussions indicated that, despite various pressures, the president opted to maintain the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket he first endorsed prior to the 2015 elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a deadline of July 11, 2026, for political parties to submit their candidate names via the designated portal, adding urgency to the APC’s decision-making process.
At an event in Abuja, where the completed INEC Presidential Candidate Nomination Forms for both Tinubu and Shettima were submitted, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yurwatoda, emphasized that this moment is the culmination of party activities leading up to key primaries, including those for the House of Representatives, National Assembly, and gubernatorial positions.
Yurwatoda expressed confidence in the party’s direction, stating, “Today reflects the wishes of over 12 million APC members who overwhelmingly supported the President’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.” He further illustrated this sentiment by pointing out that the backing of 12 million votes should signal significant support from the party’s base and noted that additional citizens benefiting from the president’s policies would likely align with the APC’s vision.
He shared insights about the potential electoral strength stemming from a significant student demographic, indicating that many of these individuals support the President due to his focus on education and infrastructure development. He urged party members and governors to actively communicate these successes to the public, positioning the incumbent as a credible candidate.
“Nigerians recognize the distinction between empathetic governance and policies that resonate with the populace,” he added. He predicted a widespread mobilization across all six geopolitical zones, igniting competition among governors to maximize their electoral contributions to the president.
Yurwatoda concluded with a sense of optimism regarding the APC’s potential success, stating, “We are determined to present the best candidate in the history of our nation regarding governance. We are confident in our campaign’s success, and victory for our party in 2027 is assured.” The event was attended by APC governors, led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, along with members from the National Working Committee, the APC Caucus in the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Committee, and numerous other party leaders and stakeholders.
