2027: Threats, Intimidation Won’t Force Tinubu To Pick Shettima As Running Mate – APC Vice Chair
The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has declared that neither threats nor intimidation will compel the party or President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to select Vice President Kashim Shettima as running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Salihu made the statement during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, in response to the controversy that trailed the APC North East Zonal Congress held on Sunday in Gombe. The congress was marred by violence following disagreements over the omission of Shettima’s name in the endorsement of President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate.
According to Salihu, the party acted within constitutional guidelines and the decision to exclude Shettima from the endorsement was deliberate and procedural. “We cannot, as North East APC stakeholders, because our son is the vice president, endorse Asiwaju with conditions. We cannot do that,” he said.
“We are endorsing Asiwaju unconditionally. And given the fact that constitutionally it is only one ticket we have, we don’t have the vice president ticket. If we put the words in Asiwaju’s mouth and we now say we have endorsed Kashim Shettima, we are putting the cart before the horse.”
He also criticised the violence at the congress, blaming it on the actions of desperate politicians who imported thugs in a bid to intimidate delegates and force endorsements. “Some people are still practising the politics of 1979. Politics has moved from barbarism and decadence,” he stated.
Salihu reaffirmed the North East’s respect and admiration for Vice President Shettima, describing him as a loyal and committed leader. He said his full speech at the congress clearly acknowledged Shettima, the National Security Adviser, ministers, and other appointees from the region, thanking President Tinubu for the opportunities given to the North East.
“In the last paragraph before the endorsement, I eulogised Kashim Shettima, recognising him as our son and expressing that we stand by him,” Salihu explained.
He also dismissed speculation of a rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, describing such rumours as the handiwork of what he termed “crisis entrepreneurs.”
“This rumour you are talking about is inevitable; it has come up in every administration. It is usually sponsored by people we call ‘crisis entrepreneurs’. If you are sure of yourself, all these rumours should not bother you,” he said.
Salihu urged party members and the public to remain focused on the party’s goals and avoid being misled by misinformation and political manipulations.
