APC Forum Warns Tinubu Against Dropping Shettima in 2027, Cites Risk of Losing 80% Northern Muslim Votes
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a strong warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election, cautioning that such a move could erode the party’s northern Muslim support base.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the Forum who disclosed this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, argued that abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured victory for the APC in 2023 could cost Tinubu as much as 80 percent of northern Muslim votes.
OTN News observes that the warning comes amid growing calls from political stakeholders urging the President to adopt a Christian-Muslim ticket to achieve religious balance ahead of his possible re-election bid.
Critics of the current arrangement point to the APC’s weak performance in Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the last general elections as evidence that the pairing alienated Christian voters.
But the Forum dismissed such arguments, insisting that the formula remains politically strategic. Zazzaga maintained that concerns over Christian exclusion are unfounded, highlighting the appointments of key Middle Belt Christians, including APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) George Akume, as proof of inclusiveness within Tinubu’s administration.
“The people pushing for a change are not APC loyalists. Many of them supported Peter Obi in 2023 and will still vote for him if he runs again, regardless of Tinubu’s choice of running mate,” the statement read.
The Forum further accused some of the President’s close allies of sidelining northern Muslim communities while favoring northern Christians in political appointments and resource distribution, warning that such a trend could trigger resentment and weaken APC’s grip on its traditional base.
Advising Tinubu to “maintain the status quo,” the group argued that dropping Shettima would alienate Muslim voters without necessarily attracting Christian votes, thereby endangering the APC’s chances in 2027.
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