Why Tinubu Retained Shettima as 2027 Running Mate — Presidency Explain

• The Presidency, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and APC leaders in the North-East have defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his 2027 running mate.

The Presidency, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North-East have defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

They described Shettima’s renomination as a reward for loyalty, competence, experience and commitment to national service, saying the decision reflects confidence in the Vice President’s leadership and ensures continuity in governance.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, made the position known in an article titled “2027: Tinubu-Shettima and the Politics of Loyalty, Capacity, Continuity.”

According to Nkwocha, the President’s decision has finally ended months of speculation over Shettima’s place on the APC presidential ticket while denying the opposition any opportunity to exploit perceived divisions within the administration.

“By retaining VP Shettima, President Tinubu has done more than fill a space on the ballot. He has quelled a major source of needless political anxiety within the ruling party, shut down months of speculation over the Vice President’s place on the ticket, and reaffirmed the partnership that led the APC to victory in 2023,” he said.

Nkwocha argued that the decision should be viewed beyond politics, describing it as a convergence of loyalty, competence and capacity.

He said Shettima had remained disciplined in office, consistently defended the administration’s reforms, chaired key economic discussions through the National Economic Council (NEC), and promoted the Renewed Hope Agenda without creating conflicts over authority.

According to him, the Tinubu-Shettima ticket was deliberately designed in 2022 to combine Tinubu’s political influence in the South with Shettima’s strong support base in the North, particularly the North-East.

He acknowledged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket generated widespread debate before the 2023 election but noted that the APC maintained its decision was based on competence and shared political values rather than religion.

Nkwocha added that the election outcome proved the strategy had significant electoral value.

He further highlighted Shettima’s leadership of the National Economic Council, where the Vice President has coordinated discussions on economic stabilisation, food security, infrastructure development, wage pressures, nutrition and collaboration between the Federal Government and states.

According to him, Shettima’s deep understanding of the administration’s policies makes him the ideal running mate for a President seeking re-election.

“A president entering a re-election cycle does not need a running mate who must first learn the language of the administration, rebuild trust with party actors, or negotiate his own place in the governing structure,” he stated.

Nkwocha also said Tinubu’s decision sends a strong message that loyalty and commitment remain valued within the APC.

“Political parties are held together by more than manifestoes; they are held together by trust, predictability, and the belief that loyalty will not be discarded once power has been won,” he added.

While expressing confidence in the ruling party’s chances in the 2027 election, he said the APC must still convince Nigerians with evidence of its performance in office.

According to him, the debate has now shifted from whether Shettima would remain on the ticket to how the Tinubu-Shettima partnership would translate continuity into renewed electoral success.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also congratulated Shettima on his renomination, describing it as recognition of his competence, loyalty and commitment to national service.

In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas said the President’s decision reflected confidence in his deputy and demonstrated the unity of the administration ahead of the next general election.

He noted that Shettima had remained a dependable and loyal partner since assuming office in May 2023.

“Since taking office as Vice President, Kashim Shettima has remained loyal and dependable, which is why the administration stays focused and determined to improve the lives of citizens.”

Abbas further praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying the President had demonstrated sound political judgment by retaining Shettima.

“With this decision, President Tinubu exemplifies extraordinary leadership and astute political judgment. The President’s confidence and belief in Shettima continue to stand firm.

“I make bold to say that this decision has further strengthened our party’s chances in the 2027 election. Without sounding conceited, APC will easily cruise to victory come January,” he said.

The Speaker urged party leaders and members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.

Similarly, APC leaders in the North-East applauded Tinubu’s decision, describing it as a reward for loyalty, competence and inclusiveness.

In a statement signed by the Coordinating Chairman of the Northeast APC Youth Critical Stakeholders Forum, Haruna Sardauna, the group said Shettima’s renomination reaffirmed the strategic importance of the North-East in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The forum described the Vice President as “the most loyal, dependable, and result-oriented Vice President in the history of Nigeria,” adding that his performance had justified the confidence reposed in him.

“Shettima’s re-nomination is not only a personal victory but also a reaffirmation of the strategic importance of the Northeast in the national political equation. This is about continuity, stability, and rewarding service,” the statement read.

Sardauna also thanked President Tinubu for retaining the vice-presidential slot in the North-East.

“We want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for re-allocating the VP slot to the Northeast Zone for continuity with Vice President Kashim Shettima. This decision speaks to fairness, equity, and political wisdom,” he said.

The group pledged to mobilise massive support for the APC during the 2027 elections, insisting that the region’s youths would repay the President’s confidence with votes.

“Our youth make up over 70 per cent of the total registered voters in the Northeast. As the largest constituency, we will mobilise massively to support APC and pay back this act of trust and inclusion. The Northeast will not disappoint Mr. President,” Sardauna added.