By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over whether the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would alter its presidential ticket.
The APC formally unveiled the Tinubu-Shettima ticket on Friday after submitting the names of both leaders as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 poll, in line with electoral requirements.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in Abuja, where the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, received the nomination documents.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party was confident of retaining power in the next general election, expressing optimism about the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
The decision puts to rest weeks of intense political speculation that President Tinubu might replace Shettima amid reports of internal consultations within the ruling party.
The rumours had intensified after some APC stakeholders in the North-East withheld endorsements for the Vice President ahead of the party’s nomination process.
Shortly after the announcement, Vice President Shettima met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, underscoring the continuity of the administration’s leadership as both men prepare for the 2027 election campaign.
Tinubu and Shettima were first elected on the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election, defeating candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Their re-nomination shows the party’s decision to maintain the same leadership team as it seeks a second term in office.
