Shettima emerges Tinubu’s running mate as APC predicts landslide victory

…President already has 12 million votes in the bag – Yilwatda

Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially emerged as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 Presidential election, ending months of speculation over whether the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would retain its 2023 ticket.

The confirmation came on Friday at the Abuja Continental Hotel during the submission of Tinubu and Shettima’s completed nomination forms to the National Working Committee (NWC) for transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Representing President Tinubu at the event, Ibrahim Masari, the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, formally presented the joint nomination forms of the President and Vice President.

“I am here on behalf of our father, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to submit his nomination forms, duly completed and signed, together with the sworn affidavit for Mr President and Vice President, Kashim Shettima,” Masari said.

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The development effectively puts to rest persistent reports that Tinubu was considering replacing Shettima ahead of the 2027 election.

The speculation had been fuelled largely by renewed debates over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that generated controversy before the 2023 presidential election.

The APC had earlier nominated Tinubu as its presidential candidate for a second term, paving the way for the renewal of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket that won the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the governors were united in their support for the President’s re-election bid.

“We are here to submit the INEC nomination forms of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Uzodimma said.

He praised the Tinubu administration’s performance, insisting that the governors remained committed to delivering victory for the APC in 2027.

“We, the governors of the APC, are happy with the way the President is piloting the affairs of this country. We are here to say that our President has done very well in the last three and a half years, and we will continue to support him to take this nation to greater heights,” he said.

“We reaffirm our support for the President to win a second term in 2027. We are ready to face the campaigns and deliver the President and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections. APC has come to stay,” he added.

Also, Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, expressed confidence that President Tinubu was already on course for victory, claiming that the party’s strength and the administration’s achievements had secured widespread public support.

“Millions of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones are waiting to vote for Mr President in 2027. Farmers, students and many other Nigerians are waiting with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” he said.

Yilwatda further claimed that Tinubu already had over 12 million votes virtually secured, while urging party leaders to intensify publicity around the administration’s achievements.

“I want to tell you, leaders, that come January, Nigerians will come out en masse and vote for him in 2027. What we need is effective publicity of what the President has done in the last three and a half years,” he said.

He dismissed suggestions that the APC’s popularity was declining, insisting the party remained the country’s largest political platform.

“Tinubu’s success story is there; it is not propaganda. Nigerians have seen governance that has touched the people. We will mobilise from door to door, house to house and state to state,” he said.

“The APC is presenting the best candidate in terms of good governance in this country. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” he added.

The APC chairman also defended the party’s membership strength.
“Our membership is over 12 million. It is verifiable. If you doubt the membership of the APC, doubt your international passport; doubt your driver’s licence. We are going to work tirelessly to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027,” he stressed.

In a short interview, Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary dismissed the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket as inconsequential.

The event was attended by several governors, including Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano) and Nasir Idris (Kebbi).

Also, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), House of Representatives member, James Faleke, and other senior party leaders were in attendance.