Tinubu Keeps Shettima as Running Mate for 2027, APC Allies Cheer

Party faithful say the decision secures northern support and strengthens re-election bid.

President Bola Tinubu has officially renominated Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, a move that has drawn praise from within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and across the North.

The decision, which many had anxiously awaited, puts to rest weeks of speculation that Tinubu might drop his deputy in favor of another candidate. But for Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the APC, the president made the right call and shouldn't stop there.

"Mr. President should go further and give Shettima broader responsibilities in managing the economy if they win a second term," Okechukwu said. He pointed to the International Monetary Fund's recent assessment of Nigeria, which stressed the need for more inclusive growth.

While Tinubu's economic reforms have improved key indicators, Okechukwu noted that a staggering 63 percent of Nigerians still live below the poverty line. "Those macroeconomic gains need to translate into real improvements in people's daily lives," he argued.

The APC Youth Parliament echoed the sentiment, calling the renomination a strategic move that solidifies the party's standing in the North. Many had feared Shettima might be swapped out, which could have cost the APC critical votes in the region.

Kabiru Kobi, who leads an APC support group, described the decision as timely and proof of Tinubu's confidence in his deputy. "Shettima has shown loyalty, patience, and commitment," Kobi said. "This ticket is now well-positioned for re-election."

Meanwhile, the APC took a swipe at opposition parties, accusing them of disorganization after they reportedly struggled to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission's deadline for submitting candidate names. INEC had initially set July 11 as the cutoff but extended it to July 14 after the Inter-Party Advisory Council appealed for more time.

The APC said it had no trouble meeting the requirement despite the large number of candidates running under its banner.

For many in the North-East, the Tinubu-Shettima pairing is more than just politics it's a symbol of continuity and inclusion. As Kobi put it: "We believe Shettima is committed to the progress of the North and Nigeria as a whole. We'll give him our full support."

The battle for 2027 is already taking shape, and with the presidential ticket now confirmed, the APC is signaling it's ready to hit the ground running.