Retaining Shettima Has Strengthened APC’s Support in North – Party Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election has strengthened the party’s support base across Northern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, who is also the Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, made the assertion in a statement personally signed on Saturday.

He said the decision had boosted the confidence of APC members and supporters in the North following the submission of the Tinubu-Shettima nomination forms to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.

According to him, the development has also disappointed those who had expected President Tinubu to replace Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.

“President Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima is the best development for the North and the APC. It has further united the region and strengthened the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

Kwankwaso commended Shettima for what he described as his efforts in promoting unity across Northern Nigeria and supporting the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.

“We have seen how Vice President Kashim Shettima has worked tirelessly to promote unity in the North despite attempts by some individuals to create division. He has also represented President Tinubu creditably at various international engagements,” he stated.

The APC chieftain expressed confidence that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket would enjoy overwhelming support from Northern voters in the 2027 general election.

He added that retaining Shettima would not only enhance the party’s chances in the presidential election but also boost the electoral prospects of APC candidates contesting governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions across the region.

“Retaining Shettima is a strategic decision that will further consolidate the APC’s support base in the North and enhance the party’s electoral prospects at all levels,” Kwankwaso added.