"If Tinubu Dumps Shettima in 2027": APC Forum Reveals What Will Happen
- North-Central APC Forum warned Tinubu dropping Shettima in 2027 could cost 80% of northern Muslim votes
- Forum defended Muslim-Muslim ticket, citing strong Christian representation in APC government
- Zazzaga accused critics of mischief, urging Tinubu to retain Shettima to secure re-election
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027, warning that such a move could cost him up to 80 per cent of northern Muslim votes.
The warning came in a statement released in Abuja by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, a member of the APC campaign council during the 2023 presidential election.
Source: Twitter
Pressure mounts on Tinubu ahead of 2027
Tinubu has faced increasing calls from political groups and stakeholders urging him to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured his 2023 victory.
Critics argue that the same strategy could backfire in 2027.
Recently, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, led by Dominic Alancha, insisted on Channels Television that Tinubu should not repeat the Muslim-Muslim pairing, claiming it contributed to the APC losing states such as Plateau, Nasarawa, and even the Federal Capital Territory in 2023.
Alancha further warned that continuing the arrangement would weaken Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt, an area where Christian voters hold significant influence.
Forum defends Muslim-Muslim ticket
Responding to these concerns, Zazzaga argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket had been a strategic electoral choice, not an act of marginalisation.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt, which is part of the North-Central, and this is because of the key positions held by Middle Belt Christians in the APC government,” he said.
He pointed to prominent figures such as APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as proof that Christians were adequately represented.
“We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 per cent of the votes from the North-Central,” the statement added.
Call to retain Shettima in 2027
Source: Twitter
The Forum urged Tinubu not to take what it described as a “needless risk of changing a winning team” by dropping Shettima.
Zazzaga argued that those pushing for a change did not support Tinubu in 2023 and would not vote for him in 2027, even if he swapped his running mate.
“Those who are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
“Now, if Peter Obi is to come out again in 2027, as expected, what is the guarantee that they will vote for Tinubu even if he is to drop Shettima and replace him with a Christian?" he said.
Warning against mischief makers
The Forum accused those opposing Shettima of trying to undermine the President’s re-election bid.
“The truth is, most of these people are not Tinubu’s supporters; they don’t really want him to win re-election in 2027. They are only trying to deceive Mr President.We believe the President knows better and will be able to see through their mischief. They don’t mean well for him or for the party," the Forum said.
Source: Legit.ng
