The APC's North-East stakeholders summit in Gombe descended into chaos on June 15 after party leaders repeatedly endorsed President Tinubu for 2027 without mentioning Vice President Shettima. The omission sparked violent protests, forcing the evacuation of National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Northeast VP Mustapha Salihu, whose Tinubu-only endorsements ignited delegate fury. Deputy Chairman Bukar Dalori's attempt to placate the crowd by endorsing both leaders failed to restore order.
• Delegates interpreted Shettima's exclusion as political marginalization of the North-East
• Security evacuated multiple speakers as tensions escalated into near-violence
• Incident follows April rumors about Shettima being denied villa access
Why does this symbolic snub matter? Beyond personality politics, the eruption exposes dangerous fractures in the APC's "national unity" facade. The North-East's violent reaction suggests deeper regional anxieties about power-sharing ahead of 2027. When a sitting VP can't secure nominal recognition in his own zone, it reveals either a calculated demotion or catastrophic communication failure—either way, a gift to opposition strategists.
Sources: The Cable, APC Gombe summit footage
