The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to keep Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election. The Forum argued that the ticket which secured APC’s victory in 2023 should not be changed, stressing that political stability matters more than agitation over religion.
APC Forum Tells Tinubu Amid Concerns
The advice came in a statement released in Abuja by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga. He insisted that the Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be seen as an attempt to sideline any group but rather a winning formula that delivered results in the last election.
Zazzaga pointed out that Christians from the Middle Belt already occupy key positions in the APC government. These include the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. According to him, this shows that the region is well represented at the national level.
Critics Oppose, Forum Defends
On Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dominic Alancha of the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum warned that repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket could cost the APC more states in 2027, especially in the Middle Belt. But the North-Central Forum dismissed those fears.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt, which is part of the North-Central, and this is because of the key positions held by Middle Belt Christians in the APC government,” the statement read.
Zazzaga added that Tinubu’s performance will be the deciding factor in 2027. “Tinubu’s achievements in office will guarantee his reelection and as a result, there is no need to take the needless risk of changing a winning team,” he said.
APC Forum Tells Tinubu to Consolidate Gains
The Forum argued that those calling for a change in the ticket did not even support Tinubu in 2023. “Most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party. If Obi runs again, what is the guarantee they will vote for Tinubu even if he drops Shettima?” the Forum asked.
It further advised the President to stay focused on governance and continue consolidating his achievements instead of altering the structure that brought him victory.
The debate over the 2027 election is already gaining momentum, but the North-Central APC Forum has made its position clear: Keep Shettima as Running Mate in 2027. To them, the combination of Tinubu and Shettima remains the best bet for the ruling party, regardless of the growing calls for religious balance.
