Despite the 2027 general elections being two years away, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is already engulfed in controversy, following speculations that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be dropped from the party’s joint ticket with President Bola Tinubu.
Tensions boiled over at a North-East APC stakeholders meeting held at the International Conference Centre in Gombe on Sunday, where an attempt to reaffirm support for Tinubu’s re-election ended in chaos after Vice President Shettima was allegedly sidelined in speeches by party leaders.
The drama began when APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, concluded his address by endorsing President Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 but failed to mention Shettima. This omission ignited outrage among party faithful, especially delegates from Shettima’s home state of Borno.
Chairs Fly, Tensions Soar
A viral video from the event showed Salihu being attacked with a chair and a plastic bucket as chaos erupted. Chants of “Shettima! Shettima!!” filled the air, with angry delegates accusing Salihu of orchestrating a deliberate slight against the Vice President.
Security personnel were forced to intervene as the violence escalated, forcing the event to end abruptly. Even efforts by Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to calm tempers were futile.
A furious delegate from Borno fumed: “It’s an insult to the entire region that our own son, the Vice President, was not even mentioned. This is a calculated attempt to sideline Shettima, and we will resist it with everything we have.”
Mixed Signals from Party Leaders
Before the chaos, the governors of APC-controlled states in the North-East — Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) — had declared support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in separate addresses. However, Yahaya, who hosted the event and doubles as Chairman of the APC North-East Governors Forum, notably avoided explicitly endorsing Shettima, raising eyebrows.
Adding to the confusion, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s remarks skirted a firm endorsement of Shettima. While he acknowledged that the zone produced the Vice President, his failure to clearly reaffirm the Tinubu-Shettima joint ticket further aggravated tensions.
“No Shettima, No APC in the North-East”
The crowd’s mood turned more volatile as chants of “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East” echoed through the hall. Some delegates even threatened to shift allegiance to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP if Shettima is dropped.
A chieftain from Adamawa said, “If Shettima is dropped, I will personally lead my people to vote for Atiku. We won’t be taken for granted.”
Police Fire Teargas, Summit Ends in Disarray
Following the fracas, police fired teargas outside the venue to disperse the gathering crowd. Several dignitaries, including former governors, ministers, and lawmakers, were seen hastily leaving the conference centre.
Eyewitness James Abass told The PUNCH: “This is more than just a misunderstanding. It’s a sign of serious internal divisions within the ruling party that could trigger mass defections if not urgently addressed.”
Support for Shettima Persists Despite Rumours
A top official disclosed that four North-East members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) — Ali Bukar Dalori (Deputy National Chairman North), Mohammad Kumo (Deputy Financial Secretary), Zainab Ibrahim (Deputy Women Leader), and Abubakar Maikafi (National Auditor) — all endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. Comrade Salihu was reportedly the only one who did not.
Reacting to the uproar, APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, dismissed the rumours as baseless, saying: “There’s a solid working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. These rumours are likely just political noise meant to create division.”
Similarly, Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala said he had no knowledge of any plan to sideline Shettima.
Endorsement for Tinubu but Silence on Running Mate
The controversy comes shortly after Tinubu received endorsements from 22 APC governors, the National Assembly leadership, and the party’s NWC as the sole candidate for 2027. Yet, none of these endorsements clarified whether Shettima would remain his running mate, further fueling speculation.
While official statements continue to deny any rift, insiders allege that powerful figures within the APC are considering replacing Shettima with another northern heavyweight in a bid to consolidate political interests ahead of 2027.
North-East Stakeholders Insist on Joint Ticket
In Maiduguri, Borno State delegate Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the Great Green Wall, called the omission of Shettima’s name “a slap on our faces.” He hinted at plans to issue a communiqué reaffirming support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and warned against any hidden agenda to remove the Vice President.
“Borno governor, our state APC chairman, and other stakeholders in the region have unanimously endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima Ticket,” Aliyu said.
Conclusion
The unfolding drama in the North-East has cast a spotlight on growing internal cracks within the APC. As 2027 approaches, party unity and regional balancing will be critical. Any move to alter the Tinubu-Shettima ticket may trigger a political earthquake in a region that was instrumental to the APC’s 2023 victory.
