Malicious Rumours’: APC Denies Plot to Replace Shettima Ahead of 2027

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ismaeel Ahmed, has dismissed speculations suggesting that the ruling party is plotting to substitute Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ahmed, a former member of the APC Board of Trustees, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, describing the claims as “malicious rumours.”

TJ News Nigeria reports that the denial comes in the wake of internal party controversies, particularly following the APC North-East summit held in Gombe, where the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term—without mentioning Vice President Shettima.

 

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“It’s not true. I know it very well. Who is ever in a 100 per cent relationship with anyone? There is trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Ahmed said.

“We are trying to create an issue where there is none. I am absolutely aware that there is no discussion about substituting the Vice President. There is no discussion about the Vice President being blocked.”

Ahmed added that the alleged plots were being spread by individuals who lacked understanding of the workings of the presidency, emphasizing that the focus should remain on governance.

Endorsement Controversy in Gombe

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the recent controversy stemmed from the endorsement drama at the APC North-East summit in Gombe on Sunday. During the event, Mustapha Salihu endorsed President Tinubu for a second term but conspicuously omitted Vice President Shettima’s name—a move that sparked rumours of a rift within the party’s hierarchy.

Clarifying the situation, Ahmed argued that the endorsement reflected internal party customs, not political marginalisation.

“We have a culture in the APC, and that culture is that the sitting president is not challenged; he is going to have his second-term ticket if he wants it,” he said.

“The drama that happened at the APC North-East summit was too melodramatic. Why are we endorsing a president that doesn’t need it? Tinubu doesn’t need endorsement from his own political party. It is a given that he is going to be our candidate in 2027.”

Ahmed labelled the endorsement ceremony as unnecessary and described it as “orchestrated sycophancy.”

‘Focus on Governance, Not Distractions’

Ahmed urged APC members and Nigerians to remain focused on national development rather than early politicking.

“We have a mandate from the people for four years. Two years have passed; we have one year to the primaries and two to the general elections. Let’s focus on governing,” he said.

“There are so many things we are doing right—let’s espouse them. We need to communicate with the people effectively. That should be the focus of the party and the government. Anything other than that is a distraction.”

Salihu Responds to Endorsement Criticism

Reacting to the backlash, Mustapha Salihu appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, dismissing the insinuations of Shettima’s marginalisation as deliberate attempts by “conflict entrepreneurs” to destabilize the party.

“The administration of a party is not run on social media, newspapers, or television. It’s handled internally,” Salihu maintained.

He further argued that it was inappropriate at this stage to discuss running mates or suggest any form of conditional endorsement for the 2027 election.

“Anybody saying there’s discontent (in the North-East) is simply wrong. We did what the law permits—mentioning and praising our son. Other zones didn’t even have that obligation,” he said.

No Fear of Opposition — APC

Speaking on the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, Ahmed downplayed any fears of opposition alliances, insisting that APC’s energy should remain on governance.

“APC is not scared of any opposition. The President and Vice President need to move around states to communicate with the people,” he added.

“I know the President well enough to say he encourages competition. He does not run away from it.