The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against bowing to pressure to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move could cost him up to 80 percent of northern Muslim votes.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, described calls for Tinubu to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket as “needless and dangerous.”
Tinubu has come under pressure from groups and stakeholders who argue that the formula that delivered his 2023 victory will not work in 2027. For instance, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum recently told Channels Television that the Muslim-Muslim ticket hurt the APC in states such as Nasarawa, Plateau, and the FCT during the last election, and warned that the ruling party risks further losses if it repeats the same strategy.
But Zazzaga countered that claim, stressing that the arrangement is a political strategy, not religious marginalization. He argued that Tinubu’s government already has prominent Middle Belt Christians like APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume in key positions, ensuring balance.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not hurt President Bola Tinubu in the Middle Belt. In fact, we can guarantee him 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central. His performance in office will secure reelection, not the abandonment of a winning team,” the statement said.
The Forum maintained that those clamoring for Shettima’s removal largely supported opposition candidate Peter Obi in 2023 and would likely do so again in 2027, regardless of Tinubu’s choice of running mate.
“Even if President Tinubu picks a Christian as Vice President, what is the guarantee that those who voted Obi in 2023 will suddenly switch allegiance? They are only out to deceive Mr. President and weaken the APC,” the Forum stated.
It further accused some individuals within Tinubu’s camp of alienating northern Muslim communities while focusing campaign efforts on northern Christians, warning that such moves are “counterproductive” and could backfire.
“Our sincere advice to Mr. President is simple: do not gamble with 2027. Dropping Shettima will not win new votes but will cost the APC a huge share of northern Muslim support. Even replacing him with another northern Muslim will not save the situation. The best option is to maintain the ticket that worked in 2023,” Zazzaga emphasized.
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