APC Ends Speculation As Tinubu Unveils Shettima As 2027 Running Mate

July 10 () —

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday, formally unveiled Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that the party would secure a landslide victory at the polls.

reports that the names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were officially submitted to the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The nomination documents were presented on behalf of President Tinubu by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a brief ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja. The event was attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the APC National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen of the party and several APC governorship candidates.

The formal unveiling brings to an end months of intense speculation over the composition of the APC’s 2027 presidential ticket, following widespread reports that Tinubu was considering replacing Shettima with another candidate, particularly a northern Christian, ahead of the next general election.

Speaking during the ceremony, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, described the event as the formal submission of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Argungu recalled that Tinubu had earlier emerged the APC’s presidential flag bearer through what he described as a transparent primary process, urging members to remain united behind the party’s leadership and continue praying for the success of both the administration and the country.

He also commended President Tinubu for what he termed the remarkable achievements of his administration, saying the party remained committed to building on its electoral successes.

Following the submission, Argungu formally handed over the names of Tinubu and Shettima to the APC National Chairman for onward processing and transmission to INEC.

Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the unwavering support of the Progressive Governors’ Forum for President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and the party leadership.

“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party”, Uzodimma said.

He described the APC as a party founded on internal democracy and inclusiveness, pledging that its governors would work collectively to ensure victory for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and all APC candidates in the 2027 general election.

“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies”, he added.

In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the formal presentation of the nomination forms reflected the overwhelming confidence reposed in President Tinubu by the party’s millions of members.

“Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature. We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him”, Yilwatda said.

He highlighted several achievements of the Tinubu administration, including the student loan scheme, agricultural interventions and infrastructure projects, arguing that they had positively impacted lives across the country.

Yilwatda urged Ibrahim Masari to convey the confidence of the party leadership to the President, saying APC members remained firmly behind his re-election bid.

“Go and tell the leader of our party that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing”, he said.

The APC chairman also charged party members to return to their respective communities and campaign with facts, rather than rhetoric.

“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones”, he stated.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 elections, Yilwatda said the APC remained the only political party with a verified membership register, which he put at about 12 million members.

“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes. As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured”, he declared.

Also speaking after the event, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed lingering doubts over the party’s ticket, saying the APC had officially settled the matter.

“The presidential candidate of the party is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our vice-presidential candidate is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima”, Morka told journalists.

Friday’s announcement effectively ends months of political speculation and signals the APC’s decision to retain the Tinubu-Shettima ticket as it prepares for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election.