An internal rift within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged concerning the 2027 presidential election, specifically regarding the potential re-nomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate. This tension became evident during a recent APC North-East stakeholders meeting in Gombe State, which devolved into chaos.
The meeting, held at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, was intended to reaffirm support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid. However, it turned violent when several key party leaders, notably the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, omitted Shettima’s name when endorsing the 2027 joint ticket. Salihu’s address, which focused solely on endorsing Tinubu as a “sole candidate for the 2027 election,” triggered strong protests from delegates who began chanting “Shettima! Shettima!!” A video showed an angry member hitting Salihu with a chair as he attempted to flee, while another threw a plastic bucket.
Efforts by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to calm the situation proved futile. Delegates expressed outrage, with one from Borno fuming, “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.”
Prior to the fracas, governors from the three APC-controlled North-East states—Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and the host Governor Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe)—had all publicly endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for 2027. Governor Yahaya specifically stated, “The North-East is fully behind the President and the Vice President. Their leadership has brought renewed hope to this region.”
However, the situation worsened when APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, also avoided explicitly confirming Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in his closing remarks. While acknowledging the North-East’s contribution and stating that the President and Vice President are “one ticket according to the Constitution,” his comments did little to appease the agitated delegates, who chanted, “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East” and even threatened to defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if Shettima were to be dropped.
The meeting abruptly concluded amidst the commotion, with many dignitaries exiting the venue. Outside, police deployed teargas to disperse the restive crowd. Eyewitnesses suggest this incident points to significant internal divisions within the APC that could lead to defections or the emergence of a counter-movement ahead of the 2027 elections, especially given Shettima’s strong grassroots support in the North-East.
Sources close to the zonal meeting indicated that while the Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, as host, did not openly oppose the joint ticket, his silence on Shettima’s endorsement was noted by some aggrieved delegates. Conversely, other North-East APC leaders, including Hon. Usman Kumo (Chief Whip of the House), Senator M.T. Monguno (Chief Whip of the Senate), and other National Working Committee members from the North-East, had explicitly supported the joint ticket.
Despite the Gombe incident, Presidency and party officials have dismissed claims of a potential shakeup in the APC ticket. Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, the APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), refuted the rumors, emphasizing the “solid working relationship” between Tinubu and Shettima, calling the reports “political noise meant to create division.” He also stated that the President has given no indication of discomfort in continuing with the Vice President.
The rumors of Shettima being dropped surfaced shortly after 22 APC governors, the National Assembly leadership, and party leaders endorsed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate for the next election. This endorsement, initiated by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and further affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and APC National Chairman Ganduje, has been met with mixed reactions.
However, delegates from Borno State expressed deep disappointment with Salihu’s omission of Shettima’s name, viewing it as a “slap on our faces” and alleging a “hidden agenda.” Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the Borno State Great Green Wall, stated that party members would not accept such a plot and that a communiqué would be issued to affirm the Tinubu-Shettima candidacy. He also voiced concern over Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s perceived silence on endorsing the full ticket.
While the APC Sokoto State chairman declined to comment, an anonymous official stated that the party has not taken an official position on the development but would work with the national headquarters regarding candidate choices for 2027.
