Fresh internal friction has surfaced within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a public protest by the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, over the absence of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s photograph on official event branding.
The incident occurred during the APC North-East Zonal Constitutional AmendmentTension in APC as Borno Speaker Protests Exclusion of VP Shettima’s Image at Zonal Meeting
A “Deliberate” Omission?
The official backdrop for the meeting featured portraits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and several North-East governors, including Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe). However, the image of Vice President Shettima—the highest-ranking political figure from the region—was notably absent.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Lawan expressed serious reservations, noting that the omission felt like a repeat of past slights.
“The Vice President is a party leader and the most revered son of this zone; yet his photo is absent on the banner showing the President and other party personalities,” Lawan stated, drawing loud applause from the audience.
The Speaker recalled a similar incident last year in Gombe, where the endorsement of President Tinubu was disrupted by stakeholders because Shettima’s name had been excluded from the motion.
2027 Replacement Rumors
The visual exclusion has fueled existing anxieties within the party regarding Shettima’s future on the 2027 presidential ticket. Some party chieftains, including Dr. Babakura Bukar and Alhaji Ahmed Ashemi, told reporters that they view the move as a “deliberate attempt to undermine” the Vice President rather than a simple oversight.
Speculation has been mounting that the APC may consider a Northern Christian running mate in 2027 to move away from the controversial “Muslim-Muslim” ticket. Names frequently mentioned in political circles as potential replacements include, Yakubu Dogara: Former Speaker of the House of Representatives,Lt-Gen. Christopher Musa (retd): Current Minister of Defence,Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah: Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Caleb Mutfwang: Governor of Plateau State.
Youth Wing Warns of “Grave Political Error”
Reacting to the development, the APC Youth Parliament warned that any move to drop Shettima would be “dangerous and divisive.”
Speaking in Bauchi, the Chairman of the Parliament, Kabiru Garba Kobi, dismissed the replacement rumors as the work of political opportunists. He argued that while the President has the constitutional right to choose his running mate, Shettima has proven his loyalty and electoral value.
“Any attempt to replace Senator Kashim Shettima will be a grave political error that could cost President Tinubu massive support in the North, particularly the North-East,” Kobi warned.
Party Silence
As of press time, high-ranking party officials have remained tight-lipped. APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Hon. Ali Dalori and National Vice Chairman (North East) Dr. Mustapha Salihu did not respond to inquiries. APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka stated he was awaiting full details of the incident before offering an official comment.
