2027: Shettima visits Tinubu, expresses gratitude for nomination

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Fruday night met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, to show appreciation after he was retained as the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The ‘ thank you’ visit followed his nomination after several months of speculations that the President may drop him, following calls for an end to the Muslim- Muslim ticket, ahead of the 2027 general election

The ruling All Progressive Congress APC, had on Friday, presented Tinubu -Shettima ticket at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

Despite the calls, Vice President had remained a strong part of the President’s team, representing him at various public engagements

BusinessDay gathered that Shettima used the opportunity to express his appreciation to the President for progiding him wuth another opportunity to serve as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

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

Prior to his nomination as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election, Vice President Shettima had served as the Executive Governor of Borno state

Recall that the ruling APC had faced crisis in the North East, following earlier suggestions for Tinubu to drop him, in favour of a Chritian from the North East.

Several names, including Yakubu Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Boss Mustapha and even Babachir Lawal, both of who served as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF and who are also from Adamawa state, in the North East

At one of their meetings in Gombe, the crisis was sparked by the omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima from party endorsements for the 2027 presidential election.

It was reported that some high-ranking party officials who initially endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, failed at the APC meeting to acknowledge Shettima as his running mate, triggering intense internal divisions, protests, and scuffles at stakeholder meetings.

Supporters of Shettima and key stakeholders from regions like Borno and the North-Central interpreted the snubs as an attempt to sideline Shettima.

Particularly, the North-Central APC Forum explicitly warned that replacing Shettima could cost the party critical northern support.