North-Central APC Forum Warns Tinubu Against Dropping Shettima Ahead of 2027

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against bowing to pressure to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket by dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Forum issued the warning in a statement released in Abuja on Saturday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga.

Zazzaga, who served on the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 elections, warned that if Tinubu succumbs to calls to replace Shettima, he risks losing up to 80 percent of northern Muslim votes.

In recent weeks, various groups have intensified calls for the ruling party to reconsider its controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, led by Dominic Alancha, recently argued on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the ticket cost the APC critical votes in states such as Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory during the 2023 presidential election.

Aancha stressed that retaining the same formula in 2027 could further alienate Christian voters in the Middle Belt.

However, the North-Central APC Forum strongly disagreed, insisting that the ticket remains the party’s best strategy.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt. This is because prominent Christians from the region, such as APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, are holding key positions. We can guarantee that Tinubu will secure 90 percent of votes from the North-Central,” the statement read.

The Forum argued that calls for Shettima’s removal are being driven by “political mischief-makers” who never supported Tinubu in 2023 and would still not back him in 2027, regardless of any adjustment to the ticket.

“Those asking Mr. President to drop Shettima largely voted for Peter Obi in 2023. What guarantee is there that they will switch to Tinubu in 2027 if he changes his running mate? Their agenda is simply to weaken his chances,” the Forum stated.

It further warned Tinubu against advisers allegedly sidelining northern Muslim communities while concentrating campaign resources on northern Christians, stressing that such moves could backfire.

“If Christian communities again rally behind Peter Obi, and northern Muslims who feel neglected also withdraw support, Tinubu risks losing on both fronts,” Zazzaga cautioned.

The Forum maintained that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was a “winning formula” in 2023 and urged the President to avoid taking unnecessary risks.

“President Tinubu will lose 80 percent of northern Muslim votes if he changes Shettima. Even replacing him with another northern Muslim will trigger disaffection. The safest path is to retain the same team that delivered victory,” the statement concluded.