Just in: Tension in APC as plot to drop Shettima emerges

DDM News

Nigeria – Despite the 2027 general elections being two years away, tension is rising within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over an alleged plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that this controversy escalated at a North-East APC stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday in Gombe State, which ended in chaos.

The event, intended as a declaration of support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, turned rowdy when the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, failed to mention Shettima during his speech.

“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the National Working Committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election,” Salihu said.

This omission triggered outrage from delegates, many of whom chanted “Shettima! Shettima!!” in protest, before violence broke out at the venue.

A viral video from the meeting captured the moment Salihu was assaulted on stage, struck with a chair, and pelted with objects including a plastic bucket as he attempted to flee.

Efforts by senior party figures such as Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to restore calm failed.

Security operatives were forced to disperse the agitated crowd using teargas, bringing the meeting to an abrupt end.

A delegate from Borno State, Usman Aliyu, condemned the omission of Shettima’s name, calling it a calculated insult to the entire region.

“This is a slap on our faces,” Aliyu said. “We’ll issue a communiqué reaffirming the Tinubu and Shettima candidacy.”

Another angry delegate from Borno warned, “It’s an insult to the region that our own son, the Vice President, was not even acknowledged. We will resist this.”

According to The PUNCH, some delegates even threatened to support opposition candidates like Atiku Abubakar if Shettima is sidelined.

“If Shettima is dropped, I will personally lead my people to vote for Atiku,” an APC chieftain from Adamawa declared.

Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who hosted the event and chairs the APC North-East Governors’ Forum, also came under fire for giving a vague speech that only praised Tinubu and omitted any mention of Shettima.

In contrast, governors like Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), along with several North-East lawmakers, openly backed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.

APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, also addressed the gathering but failed to firmly confirm Shettima’s continued place on the 2027 ticket.

“This zone has produced the number two of this country. We are proud of the North and of Nigeria. We are proud of the Vice President. It is one ticket, according to the Constitution,” Ganduje said vaguely.

His statement did little to calm the crowd, who continued chanting, “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!”

APC South-East Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, dismissed the uproar, calling it “political noise,” and insisted there is a solid relationship between Tinubu and Shettima.

“These rumours are distractions,” he said in an interview with The PUNCH.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also denied knowledge of any plan to replace Shettima.

However, a source at the meeting disclosed that while four of the North-East’s National Working Committee (NWC) members supported the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, only Salihu opposed it.

“Only Comrade Mustapha Salihu spoke against the ticket. All other NWC members from the zone backed the joint candidacy,” the source said.

Nonetheless, speculation remains that certain power blocs are exploring the possibility of replacing Shettima with a more “influential” northern figure.

Political observers say the incident reflects deeper rifts within the APC and could lead to major defections or internal revolt if left unresolved.

“This is more than a misunderstanding,” said analyst James Abass. “It’s a sign of serious internal fractures. The North-East sees Shettima as their political symbol. Any move to sideline him may backfire on the party.”

As the APC leadership works to douse tensions, all eyes are on how the party navigates what may be a defining moment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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