2027 Storm: Shettima’s Fate Divides the APC and Sparks Political Debate

In the increasingly strategic and high-stakes landscape of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, a simmering controversy has erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over whether Vice President Kashim Shettima will remain on the party’s presidential ticket alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What began as a subtle omission at a party event has grown into a broader debate about loyalty, religious balance, and political calculation inside one of the nation’s most influential parties. 

At a key APC zoning hearing held in Maiduguri, a banner featuring senior party figures included President Tinubu and other leaders — but not Vice President Shettima. That absence, which was immediately noticed and criticised by party loyalists, quickly sparked speculation that his future on the ticket might be in jeopardy. For many in the APC’s North-East, where Shettima’s base is strongest, this felt less like an oversight and more like a political statement. 

Why the Debate Matters

The controversy striking the APC isn’t just about a missing photograph. It touches on deep questions about party unity, electoral strategy, and Nigeria’s complex regional and religious politics:

Shettima, a prominent Northern Muslim and former governor of Borno State, was integral to the APC’s successful 2023 ticket with Tinubu and has become one of the party’s most visible national figures. That history means any suggestion of dropping him — especially in favour of a different running mate — raises fears of alienating supporters in the North-East and wider Northern region, where political identity often intersects with religion and regional pride. 

Some APC figures argue that calls to replace Shettima are driven by external pressure — including from observers outside Nigeria who have criticised the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket — rather than by internal strategic wisdom. Others in the party counter that discussions about balancing religious representation on the ticket could be important in broadening the APC’s appeal across different parts of the country. 

Voices from Inside the Party

Supporters of Shettima’s continued role warn that removing him from the ticket could have serious political costs. They argue that he brings vital credibility, regional support, and continuity to the APC’s campaign structure. In their view, sacrificing those strengths in pursuit of religious balancing could weaken the party’s electoral prospects and fracture internal support. 

At the same time, some voices within the APC and among political analysts suggest that adjusting the ticket to incorporate broader representation — particularly including Christians from other key regions — could address concerns about inclusivity and help the party appeal to a wider voter base. That perspective reflects the broader balancing act Nigerian politicians must perform in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious federation where electoral coalitions often hinge on perceived fairness as much as on policy platforms. 

The Silence and the Stakes

Vice President Shettima himself has not publicly addressed the speculation surrounding his political future, a silence that some analysts interpret as cautious strategy while others see it as reflective of broader uncertainties within the APC’s top ranks. But in Nigerian politics, silence often speaks loudly about calculated restraint or internal negotiations yet to be disclosed. 

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the APC faces a potentially pivotal choice: reaffirm its existing leadership configuration with Shettima at the wheel, or recalibrate its ticket in pursuit of broader political optics. Either way, the debate unfolding now underscores just how deeply regional identities, religious considerations, and political loyalty intersect in Nigeria’s democratic process — shaping not just campaigns, but the very narrative of national leadership itself.