By Peter Dansu As the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly standing firm on his decision...
By Peter Dansu
As the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly standing firm on his decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate, despite mounting pressure from political interest groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) pushing for a replacement.
Sources within the Presidency according to Vanguard have revealed that Tinubu is not considering any of the six northern politicians being touted as potential alternatives. These include former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State; Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani; Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Although the President is widely expected to seek re-election for a second and final term in 2027, discussions around a possible shakeup of the presidential ticket have gained momentum in recent weeks. Party insiders say some powerful figures within the APC believe a new vice-presidential pick might offer better political balance and strategic advantages ahead of the next poll.
Supporters of Nuhu Ribadu argue that appointing him as Vice President would position him as a front-runner for a northern presidential bid in 2031. Senator Yari, on the other hand, is said to enjoy a longstanding relationship with Tinubu and has been one of the most vocal defenders of the administration. Yakubu Dogara, a northern Christian, is being considered by some factions as a means of addressing concerns over the continued Muslim-Muslim ticket and calming religious sensitivities within the electorate.
Meanwhile, governors Bago, Sani, and Yahaya are believed to have earned the admiration of certain APC leaders, who point to their performance in their respective states as a boost to the party’s grassroots support.
Despite all this, insiders at Aso Rock insist President Tinubu is not swayed by any of these suggestions. According to them, he remains firmly committed to Shettima, whom he views as a loyal ally, a politically grounded figure, and a vital part of his administration.
A top source in the Presidency, speaking to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said Tinubu deeply values Shettima’s loyalty, competence, and political clout, especially in Northern Nigeria. The source noted that Shettima was the first northern leader to openly support Tinubu’s ambition, even before the APC presidential primaries.
“Shettima stood by Tinubu when there were internal plots to block him from clinching the party ticket in 2022,” the source recalled. “He did not just support him behind closed doors — he was the face and voice of Tinubu’s campaign, even at great personal risk. He famously dismissed Osinbajo’s challenge by calling him an ice cream seller and then went on to lead the campaign as Director-General. Since he became Vice President, he has remained unshakably loyal. Loyalty counts a lot in politics, and Tinubu is too smart a politician to ignore that.”
Shettima is also praised for his leadership credentials and nationalistic outlook. One of the most referenced examples of his statesmanship was his role in defusing ethnic tensions in the North when some youths issued a quit notice to Igbo residents. According to the source, Shettima personally reached out to Southeast leaders to ensure a peaceful resolution, a move that earned him widespread commendation.
Within the Villa, many see the push to drop Shettima as driven by individuals with no real political base. “Some of the people behind these moves cannot win elections in their own wards,” the source added. “They are merely scheming out of personal ambition, not because they have anything better to offer.”
Another factor believed to be solidifying Shettima’s position is the close relationship between First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Hajia Nana Shettima. Both women are said to have built a strong working partnership under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady’s flagship programme focused on empowering women and vulnerable groups across the country. Hajia Shettima’s consistent presence alongside Mrs. Tinubu at public functions has reportedly contributed significantly to the administration’s positive image.
“Senator Oluremi Tinubu is very comfortable working with Hajia Shettima,” one official stated. “That synergy has translated into goodwill for the government in many communities, especially among women.”
Only recently, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed rumours of a rift between Tinubu and Shettima, saying that talk of replacing the Vice President was both unfounded and premature. “It is only when the President emerges from the party primaries that a running mate is formally announced,” Onanuga said, reinforcing that no such decision is on the table.
For now, the message from Aso Rock is clear: Tinubu is not letting go of Shettima. The Vice President, they insist, remains a political asset too valuable to discard.
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