2027: Storm Brews in APC as Shettima’s Fate Sparks Deepening Party Rift
A quiet political tremor in Maiduguri has snowballed into a full-blown national debate, exposing fresh fault lines within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election. The controversy centres on Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose political future on the party’s presidential ticket has become the subject of intense speculation.
According to reports carried by Vanguard and widely debated on Nairaland, a seemingly minor omission — the absence of Shettima’s image on a banner at the APC North-East Zonal Public Hearing in Maiduguri — triggered outrage among party faithful and reopened sensitive discussions around the sustainability of the Muslim–Muslim ticket adopted in 2023.
Akahi News gathered that what initially looked like a design oversight quickly evolved into a symbolic political statement, fuelling suspicions that powerful forces within the party may be quietly positioning for a change in the vice-presidential slot.
A Missing Photograph, A Growing Political Storm
The incident reportedly unfolded when Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly and Nigeria’s longest-serving speaker, noticed that Vice President Shettima’s image was missing from a prominently displayed banner behind the podium.
Speaking spontaneously, Lawan questioned the omission, drawing loud applause from the audience. Observers noted that similar incidents had occurred previously in Gombe State, but the Maiduguri episode struck a deeper chord because Shettima hails from Borno and remains the most senior APC political figure in the North-East.
Within party circles, the omission was interpreted as more than coincidence. Akahi News learnt that it reinforced existing whispers that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu might consider altering the ticket in 2027, amid renewed pressure to balance religious representation.
Internal Warnings Against Political Gamble
Reacting to the growing speculation, Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, an APC chieftain and former member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council security team, cautioned against what he described as a dangerous political gamble.
According to him, the northern region currently lacks a Christian candidate with the political structure, grassroots influence, and national reach capable of replacing Shettima’s electoral value. He stressed that altering a winning ticket could weaken internal cohesion, destabilise governance, and reduce the party’s competitiveness in 2027.
Akahi News gathered that Mumuni also argued that loyalty and consistency — traits he attributed to the Vice President — are stabilising forces in government and should not be lightly discarded for political experimentation.
North-East Resistance and Youth Pushback
The APC Youth Parliament has equally pushed back against any attempt to sideline Shettima. Its chairman, Kabiru Garba Kobi, warned that replacing the Vice President could cost President Tinubu massive support in the North-East.
Speaking with journalists in Bauchi, Kobi reportedly described the rumour as divisive and politically reckless, insisting that Shettima remains a unifying figure and an important bridge between the region and the presidency.
He further cautioned the party against listening to political opportunists who, in his words, contributed little to the APC’s 2023 victory but now seek to shape its internal power dynamics.
Foreign Pressure and Religious Sensitivities
Behind the scenes, concerns about international scrutiny have added another layer of complexity. Some party insiders acknowledge growing foreign interest — particularly from the United States — over Nigeria’s religious balance and allegations of Christian persecution.
Statements attributed to former US President Donald Trump have intensified debates within political circles, with some APC figures arguing that Nigeria’s security architecture already reflects religious diversity. Others strongly reject any suggestion that Nigeria’s electoral choices should be influenced by foreign expectations.
Akahi News learnt that these external considerations have further blurred the line between domestic political strategy and international diplomatic pressure, complicating internal decision-making.
North-Central Denial and Strategic Calculations
Amid speculation that the North-Central zone is lobbying for a Christian vice-presidential slot, the North-Central APC Forum has publicly denied any such ambition. The group stated that its focus is on contesting the presidency in 2031 rather than seeking the vice-presidential ticket in 2027.
The forum reportedly warned that removing Shettima could shrink Tinubu’s vote base and hand the opposition a strategic advantage in a tightly contested election cycle.
Divided Public Reactions and Political Uncertainty
Public reactions have remained sharply divided. Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, reportedly described the controversy as a potentially disruptive political kite capable of affecting the relationship between the President and his Vice.
Other commentators have openly predicted that the Muslim–Muslim ticket may not survive another electoral cycle, while some party loyalists insist the debate is exaggerated political theatre aimed at mobilising sympathy and consolidating regional support.
On social platforms and political forums, Nigerians continue to debate whether retaining or replacing Shettima offers the APC a better electoral pathway — a reflection of the deep polarisation shaping the country’s political landscape.
The Silence from the Vice President
Notably, Vice President Kashim Shettima has remained silent on the matter, offering no public response to the banner incident or the mounting speculation surrounding his political future.
In Nigerian politics, silence often speaks volumes. Whether it signals strategic restraint, quiet negotiation, or calculated patience remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that what began as a missing photograph has evolved into a serious test of party unity, loyalty, and political foresight. As 2027 approaches, the APC must carefully weigh whether altering a familiar equation will strengthen its electoral chances — or deepen internal fractures that could prove costly.
Akahi News will continue to monitor developments as the political drama unfolds and Nigerians edge closer to another defining election cycle.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
Akahi News www.akahinews.org
