Despite official statements that President Bola Tinubu will select his running mate for the 2027 presidential election only after the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, political tensions surrounding the vice presidential slot continue to escalate.
Okay.ng reports that this development follows a chaotic APC North-East stakeholders meeting convened to endorse Tinubu for 2027, which ended in disorder.
During the meeting, supporters of Vice President Kashim Shettima reportedly expressed displeasure by throwing chairs at APC Vice Chairman for the North-East, Mustapha Salihu, due to his refusal to endorse Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate. Salihu clarified on Channels Television’s Politics Today that endorsing the Vice President prematurely would imply that Tinubu had already made his choice, which would be inappropriate.
Sources within the Presidency and APC have revealed ongoing political negotiations that might lead to President Tinubu selecting a different running mate instead of Shettima. Several northern governors and principal officers in the National Assembly are reportedly vying for the position, with speculation also pointing to a possible Christian candidate from Bauchi State to balance religious representation.
Party insiders suggest that choosing a Christian from the North Central zone is unlikely, as it could negatively impact APC’s electoral prospects in the North West and North East regions, where the party seeks to consolidate votes.
The competition for Tinubu’s running mate is closely tied to the larger contest over who will succeed him as president in 2031. Prominent APC figures from the North are positioning themselves, believing that the vice presidency during Tinubu’s second term would provide a strategic advantage for the 2031 presidential race.
A senior APC official explained that the struggle to replace Shettima is essentially a contest among northern heavyweights aiming to secure the party’s presidential ticket in 2031. Furthermore, a northern cabinet member favored by the President is also being promoted as a potential running mate, with some party members concerned that Shettima’s continued vice presidency might weaken this candidate’s chances.
The influence of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s relationship with the Vice President’s wife is also seen as a factor that could bolster Shettima’s future ambitions.
Meanwhile, consultations and negotiations are ongoing among APC governors and party leaders to consolidate support for their preferred candidates ahead of the APC convention, which is still months away.
In related developments, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s political ambitions for 2031 reportedly contributed to his exclusion from the current administration. El-Rufai has publicly accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of orchestrating efforts to damage his reputation due to this rivalry.
The Adamawa State APC chapter has emphasized that it lacks constitutional authority to endorse Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, underscoring that the President has the prerogative to choose his deputy.
Political analysts have varied opinions on the timing of the running mate contest, with some viewing early speculation as normal political repositioning, while others stress the importance of adhering to party procedures.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has publicly distanced himself from a campaign urging Tinubu to select him as running mate, calling for unity and support for the current administration instead.
Meanwhile, the North-East Coalition of APC Support Groups has endorsed former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, a Christian from Bauchi State, as a unifying candidate for the vice presidency in 2027.
Other northern leaders, including former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, have denied any vice presidential ambitions despite rumors and endorsements from local political figures.
As the contest for Tinubu’s running mate unfolds, the APC continues to navigate complex regional, religious, and political dynamics in preparation for the 2027 elections and beyond.
