The Dangers of Sidelining Vice President Kashim Shettima: A Warning Sign for APC in 2027

By Dr. Zanna Hassan Boguma FCIPDM FWIP
(Zanna Boguma of Borno)
Special Adviser to His Excellency on Culture and Regional Integration

As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finds itself navigating a growing storm of controversy—one that stems not from opposition parties, but from within its own ranks. The recent wave of endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election has been met with mixed reactions, but more importantly, it has exposed cracks within the party, especially due to the conspicuous and consistent sidelining of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

A Disturbing Silence: Where Is Shettima in the 2027 Equation?

The APC National Summit, held at the Presidential Villa under the theme “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far,” was a major platform used by stakeholders to endorse President Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 elections. While the endorsement itself was not unexpected, what shocked many—and has since dominated internal party discourse—was the deliberate silence on Vice President Shettima’s role in that political future.

Despite his presence at the summit and his current position as the number two citizen, Shettima’s name was never mentioned as part of the renewed mandate. This omission cannot be brushed aside as an oversight; in Nigerian politics, silence can be deafening, and here, it was loud enough to raise serious alarm bells, especially in the North East, where Shettima hails from.

Endorsements Without Inclusion: A Risky Political Gamble

Some party members argue that the endorsement of President Tinubu automatically implies the continuation of the joint ticket with Shettima. However, that argument falls flat when one considers the fact that key stakeholders from the North West and North Central who have endorsed the president were also silent on Shettima’s place in the 2027 calculations.

Even more telling are the re-election posters of Tinubu already flooding several cities across Nigeria—with no image or mention of the Vice President. This sends an unspoken but dangerous message: that there is a coordinated effort to rewrite the 2023 joint mandate. It is a calculated political maneuver that threatens not just Shettima, but the stability and unity of the APC as a national party.

Hypocrisy and Internal Betrayal: The Gombe Fracas

The fears were further confirmed during the recent APC North East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe. What should have been a unifying gathering to protect regional interests turned into a display of hypocrisy and internal betrayal. The fracas that broke out was not caused by opposition infiltration—it was a clear manifestation of a brewing mutiny from within.

Stakeholders who had once championed the ticket of Tinubu-Shettima in 2023 either kept mute or subtly aligned with those pushing to sideline the Vice President. To the disappointment of many, even hosts and leaders who were expected to uphold the region’s political dignity ended up doing the unexpected. That gathering in Gombe was more than a disagreement—it was a statement of intent by those willing to sacrifice one of their own at the altar of political convenience.

We Have the Votes—Respect Must Be Mutual

Let us not forget: in 2023, President Tinubu, while submitting his nomination, listed a placeholder—only to eventually select Shettima, whose pedigree, strategic influence, and cross-regional acceptance played a crucial role in balancing the ticket and securing victory. The North East delivered when it mattered most. To now exclude Shettima from the 2027 plans without clear communication is both insulting and politically short-sighted.

If the presidency is truly a joint mandate—as it was in 2023—then Vice President Shettima must be given equal recognition in any future political arrangement. The people of the North East are watching. Loyalty must not be mistaken for weakness. We have made sacrifices, and we demand clarity, fairness, and mutual respect.

Senator Ali Ndume aptly reminded those drunk on political power that “you may have the endorsements, but we have the votes.” That truth remains unchanged. In politics, as in every partnership, it is give-and-take. The calculated silence on Shettima’s role in 2027, if not corrected, may not only hurt the APC’s electoral chances but also set off a wave of internal rebellion capable of shaking the party’s very foundation.

A Call for Clarification and Unity

It is time for President Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to come forward with clarity. Does the endorsement of the president for 2027 automatically cover the Vice President? If so, let it be clearly and publicly stated. If not, then let the party be prepared for the political consequences in the North East.

We are not calling for confrontation—we are calling for recognition. We are not seeking to impose—we are demanding fairness. The APC cannot afford to alienate the region that gave it strength in 2023. It cannot continue to speak of national unity while quietly dividing its own leadership structure.

Conclusion: The Danger of Political Amnesia

In politics, memory is everything. Betraying those who stood by you in your moment of need is not just unethical—it is dangerous. Vice President Kashim Shettima is not a placeholder. He is a man of vision, competence, and loyalty. Sidelining him now will not only fracture party unity but may lead to unintended political consequences that the APC may not be able to recover from.

If unity must be preserved, then justice must be done. If the 2027 mandate is truly a continuation of 2023, then Shettima must stand beside Tinubu, not behind him—or worse, outside the frame.

Let the silence end. Let fairness prevail.