Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima strengthens APC in North – Party chieftain

By Jude Opara

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has described President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election as a major boost to the party’s electoral prospects.
Kwankwaso, who is the Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, said the move has strengthened the APC’s support base across Northern Nigeria and increased the confidence of party members ahead of the polls.
In a statement personally signed during the weekend, he said the submission of the Tinubu-Shettima nomination forms to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja had laid to rest speculations that the Vice President might be replaced.
According to him, the decision has also disappointed those who anticipated changes to the APC’s presidential ticket before the 2027 election.
“President Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima is the best development for the North and the APC. It has further united the region and strengthened the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
Kwankwaso commended Shettima for his role in promoting unity across Northern Nigeria and for supporting the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
He also praised the Vice President’s representation of President Tinubu at various international engagements, describing his performance as commendable.
The APC chieftain expressed confidence that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket would enjoy overwhelming support from Northern voters in the 2027 general election.
He added that retaining Shettima would not only improve the party’s chances in the presidential race but also boost the fortunes of APC candidates contesting governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions across the region.
Kwankwaso maintained that the decision would further consolidate the APC’s political strength in the North and enhance its overall electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 polls.