The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected the growing speculation about a potential rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as any suggestions that the president plans to replace his deputy before the 2027 elections.
While President Tinubu has yet to officially announce his bid for a second term, political activity has already begun within the party, with many of his supporters mobilizing for his re-election campaign.
Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, APC’s National Director of Publicity, dismissed the rumors of Shettima’s possible replacement as baseless.
“These are just rumors with no substance—mere gossip that should not be taken seriously,” Ibrahim told Daily trust.
He further explained that any decision regarding the vice-presidency would involve consultations with key stakeholders, rather than being a unilateral decision by the president.
“Even if the president were to consider changing the vice president, it wouldn’t be a decision made alone. Such a move would require thorough consultations with significant political players,” Ibrahim added.
North Central pushes for higher political representation
Meanwhile, political figures from Nigeria’s North Central zone have renewed their call for either the presidency or vice-presidency in the 2027 elections.
Leaders from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, spearheaded by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, addressed a press conference in Abuja, urging political parties to consider zoning the presidential or vice-presidential positions to their region.
The group, in their statement, argued that if President Tinubu is given the “right of first refusal” for the APC’s presidential ticket, the vice-presidential slot should be allocated to North Central.
Prof. K’tso pointed out that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the North Central region has yet to produce a president or vice president.
“Among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only the North Central and South East have not held the offices of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic,” he noted.
He further emphasized the need for fairness, saying, “This is about equity. We want to be recognized as full participants in the political process, not just as side players in the ‘One North’ project.”
APC responds: North Central’s demand “unrealistic”
In response, APC’s Alhaji Bala Ibrahim rejected the North Central region’s demand as “unrealistic” and “impractical.”
“The North Central should not view the presidency or vice-presidency as their entitlement, particularly given their comparatively smaller electoral contribution compared to other regions like the North West,” he stated.
He also criticized the demand as “irrational,” suggesting it only serves to heighten unnecessary political tension.
“The current president should be allowed to serve his two terms. Discussions about zoning can only be meaningful after that,” Ibrahim concluded.
