2027 presidential election: Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate
After much foot-dragging that created room for speculations, President Bola Tinubu on Friday finally submitted the name of Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
There have been speculations that the President may drop his current deputy over some political calculations.
Shettima’s return was perceived to be threatened, especially as some stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even in the North East, failed to endorse him.
Those angling for change of running mate had also touted that the President might replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his vice-presidential candidate.
However, on Friday Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, submitted the nomination forms for Tinubu and Shettima to APC leaders at Continental Hotel, Abuja.
Among those who attended the meeting are Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
The submission formally confirms Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.
Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, led the APC governors to the event.
Also in attendance were members of the APC national working committee (NWC), the party’s caucus in the national assembly, members of the federal executive council (FEC), and other party leaders and stakeholders.
The submission of the nomination forms marks the formal commencement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term on the APC platform, with Shettima again completing the party’s presidential ticket.
Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to the President in a post on X said, “About now, at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, President Tinubu submits INEC nomination form to the APC NWC as Sole Presidential Candidate for the 2027 Elections.
“President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has equally tapped Kashim Shettima, the current Vice President, as his running mate for vice president in the 2027 election.”
