Uncertainty trails Shettima’s spot on APC ticket; Dogara, Ribadu, Gen. Musa’s names surface
Atiku weighs Southern options in ADC; Amaechi, Ihedioha in the mix
PDP factions in limbo over Jonathan, Onor; Obi-Kwankwaso ticket sets pace for NDC
With the conclusion of presidential primaries for the 2027 general elections, Nigeria’s major political parties have entered a high-stakes race against time to select running mates ahead of the June 27 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline.
Investigations by *Sunday Tribune* reveal a climate of anxiety across party lines, as presidential candidates and power brokers struggle to balance regional, religious, and strategic interests in a bid to present a winning ticket.
APC: The Shettima Dilemma
In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the status of Vice President Kashim Shettima remains a subject of intense internal debate. While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has kept his final decision close to his chest, sources suggest that “unresolved issues” regarding the Vice President’s place on the 2027 ticket have kept the party in suspense.
Central to the deliberations is the sensitive issue of religious balancing. To move away from the controversial “Muslim-Muslim” ticket of 2023, names like the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), are reportedly being considered.
However, a school of thought within the presidency argues that if Shettima is to be replaced, the party must retain a high-profile Northern Muslim to maintain its base. In this scenario, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who hails from the same North-East zone as Shettima, has emerged as a frontrunner.
ADC: Atiku’s Southern Search
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now the standard-bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also grappling with his choice of a running mate. The party is reportedly focused on a Southern candidate to complement Atiku’s Northern roots.
Among those being touted are former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
While rumors swirled that Amaechi might have declined the role, close associates of the former Rivers State governor told this newspaper that he is “awaiting a formal offer” before making a definitive move.
“The process is strategic,” an ADC source said. “We are engaging in high-level talks and will meet the INEC deadline comfortably.”
PDP Factions and the NDC Factor
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the most fractured of the lot. Two distinct factions have produced former President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Sandy Onor as candidates, leaving both camps in a state of “limbo” regarding their choice of running mates until the legal and internal crises are resolved.
In contrast, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears to have found stability. Its candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has already solidified his ticket by announcing former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate—a move political observers say has put pressure on the APC and ADC to finalize their own pairings.
Others in the Race
The race for a vice-presidential slot is equally stalled in the Accord Party, where Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is yet to name a partner, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which remains bogged down by factional disputes.
As the June 27 deadline approaches, the political landscape remains fluid, with stakeholders warning that the choice of running mates will likely determine the ultimate winners of the 2027 contest.
