The APC dismisses speculation about a rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections. Party spokesperson Alhaji Bala Ibrahim refutes rumors of a potential replacement, calling them baseless. The party also responds to demands from North Central stakeholders for zoning of the 2027 ticket.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly dismissed growing speculation surrounding a potential rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as rumors that Tinubu is considering replacing Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections. In a statement to Daily Trust, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, the APC National Director of Publicity, rejected the claims, labeling them as “baseless” and nothing more than “beer-parlour discussions.”
The speculation has been fueled by whispers within political circles, despite President Tinubu not formally announcing his intention to seek re-election. Party loyalists and key stakeholders, however, have already begun rallying support for his second-term bid. Ibrahim emphasized that even if the President were to contemplate a change in running mate, such a decision would require broader consultations with critical political players and could not be made unilaterally.
This response comes amidst a broader political debate surrounding the 2027 elections, particularly calls from North Central stakeholders for a fair share of the presidential or vice-presidential slots. While some regional leaders push for the zoning of the vice-presidential ticket to North Central, APC representatives have dismissed these demands as “unrealistic” and stressed that the conversation about zoning should not take place until after Tinubu's first term.
