2027 Ticket: No Shettima, No APC
Details have emerged from a tense and chaotic meeting of top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the North-East, revealing growing cracks within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Held at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, the meeting was intended to show unity and build support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Instead, it descended into turmoil after Vice President Kashim Shettima was conspicuously excluded in a motion endorsing Tinubu.
The omission, made by the party’s National Vice Chairman for the North-East, Mustapha Salihu, sparked outrage—especially among delegates from Borno State, Shettima’s home base. Chants of “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!” filled the hall as tensions flared.
A viral video captured the moment chaos broke out, with an angry delegate striking Salihu with a chair and others throwing objects, prompting swift intervention by security forces.
Attempts to restore calm, including a last-minute mention of Shettima by Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, failed to pacify the angry crowd.
Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and host governor Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe) had earlier expressed support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. However, Yahaya’s failure to explicitly endorse Shettima during his speech raised suspicions among attendees.
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National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje also avoided confirming Shettima’s role in 2027, speaking only in general terms about unity and regional pride. The perceived snub further fueled the uproar.
Some delegates went as far as threatening to back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party if Shettima is removed from the ticket.
Insiders say only Salihu openly opposed the Tinubu-Shettima pairing, while other key party figures from the zone—including Dalori, Mohammad Kumo, Zainab Ibrahim, and Abubakar Maikafi—supported maintaining the duo.
After the meeting collapsed, protests erupted outside the venue, forcing police to fire teargas and hurriedly escort party leaders to safety.
While APC officials and the presidency have denied any plans to sideline Shettima, the incident has deepened concerns over party unity. Rumors are swirling that the party may consider replacing him with a Christian Northerner, with former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara reportedly being floated—though no official announcement has been made.
Shettima’s supporters warn that any such move would be seen as a betrayal of the North-East, a region instrumental to APC’s 2023 victory.
