The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected rumors suggesting a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, dismissing claims that Tinubu is contemplating a new running mate for the upcoming 2027 elections.
While Tinubu has yet to officially announce his candidacy for a second term, his supporters and influential party figures have begun rallying behind his re-election efforts.
In an interview with Daily Trust, APC National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, characterized the speculation as unfounded. “This is pure speculation without foundation. These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously,” he asserted.
Ibrahim further emphasized that any decision regarding a potential change in the vice presidency would require extensive consultations with key stakeholders, stating, “Even if, for any reason, the president were to consider replacing the vice president, he cannot do so singlehandedly.”
North Central Pushes for Presidential or VP Slot
In a related political development, stakeholders from the North Central geopolitical zone have intensified their calls for either the presidency or vice presidency in the 2027 elections. During a press conference in Abuja, representatives from states including Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, urged major political parties to allocate their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to the region.
They argued that if the APC grants Tinubu the “right of first refusal” for the presidential nomination, the vice-presidential position should be designated for North Central. Prof. Nghargbu highlighted that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the region has not produced a democratically elected president or vice president.
“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic,” he noted, emphasizing the need for equitable representation.
APC Dismisses North Central’s Demands
Responding to the North Central stakeholders’ demands, Bala Ibrahim deemed them unrealistic and “dead on arrival.” He cautioned that the region should not perceive the presidency or vice presidency as an entitlement, particularly given its comparatively lower electoral contribution compared to other northern zones.
“The North Central has made similar demands in the past, but these are often irrational and only serve to create unnecessary political tension,” Ibrahim remarked. He suggested that discussions regarding zoning should be deferred until after Tinubu completes his first term, advocating for the current president to be allowed to serve two terms before any conversations about future political arrangements begin.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the APC remains focused on solidifying its position ahead of the 2027 elections, with both internal and external pressures shaping the dialogue.
