The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a strong warning against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing such a move as a \u201cgrave political miscalculation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abia Radio News<\/strong> reports that the warning followed reports that certain interests within the ruling party are allegedly pushing for Shettima to be dropped from the APC ticket in favour of a Christian running mate.<\/p>\n The speculation was reignited after Shettima\u2019s image was conspicuously absent from a banner showcasing APC leaders at the party\u2019s zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments held in Maiduguri.<\/p>\n The banner featured President Bola Tinubu, five governors from the North-East, and the party\u2019s National Legal Adviser, but omitted the Vice President.<\/p>\n Reacting to the development, the Forum, led by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, issued a statement in Abuja on Thursday, cautioning that removing Shettima would jeopardise Tinubu\u2019s re-election chances and weaken the APC.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima\u2026 It will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation,\u201d<\/em> the statement said.<\/p>\n Addressing suggestions that the North-Central was lobbying for the vice-presidential position, Zazzaga clarified that the zone is not seeking the VP slot in 2027, but rather preparing to contest the presidency in 2031.<\/p>\n \u201cThe North-Central is focused on the 2031 presidential election after President Tinubu\u2019s tenure. We are not part of the agitation to replace Shettima,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n The group condemned attempts to inject religious sentiment into political strategy, arguing that there is no Christian candidate in the North with the necessary political structure to complement Tinubu.<\/p>\n \u201cAbandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket will only strengthen the opposition in 2027,\u201d<\/em> the Forum warned.<\/p>\n According to the Forum, those calling for Shettima\u2019s removal were not supporters of Tinubu <\/a>in the 2023 election and cannot be trusted to support him even if their demands are met.<\/p>\n The statement noted, \u201cIf you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is likely is that Tinubu <\/a>will lose support among core northerners, thereby reducing his votes and giving the advantage to Peter Obi.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Forum also dismissed reported concerns that international actors such as the United States and other Western countries may pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.<\/p>\n It said, \u201cNigeria is an independent nation, and nobody is going to dictate to us.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Outside interference could undermine democracy and trigger avoidable conflict.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Forum urged President Tinubu <\/a>and the APC leadership to resist pressure from within and outside the party, warning that caving to such demands could weaken the APC\u2019s base, especially in the North.<\/p>\nNorth-Central Not Contesting For VP Slot, Says Forum<\/h2>\n