2027 election: Tinubu’s retention of Shettima strengthens APC in the North – Kwankwaso

A Kano-based chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, describing the decision as a strategic move that has further strengthened the ruling party’s influence across Northern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, who serves as the Executive Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), made the remarks in a statement personally signed and issued to journalists in Kano. He said the President’s decision has boosted the confidence of party supporters and positioned the APC strongly ahead of the next general election.

According to the APC stalwart, the continuation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket has effectively consolidated the party’s political structure in the North and significantly improved its chances of securing another electoral victory in 2027.

He argued that Vice President Shettima has remained a dependable ally of President Tinubu since the administration assumed office in May 2023, adding that his political experience, leadership qualities and engagement with stakeholders have contributed to strengthening the administration’s relationship with Northern communities.

Kwankwaso described the President’s decision as one of the most significant political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, saying it demonstrates confidence in Shettima’s performance and his contributions to the administration.

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“Every person in Northern Nigeria is ready to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027,” Kwankwaso stated.

He also maintained that the Vice President has played an important role in promoting unity across Northern Nigeria despite what he described as attempts by some individuals to create divisions within the region.

According to him, Shettima has continued to support government efforts aimed at fostering national cohesion while representing President Tinubu at major international engagements and diplomatic meetings.

“We have seen how Kashim Shettima has remained committed to helping the government maintain unity in Northern Nigeria and across the country. We have also seen him competently represent President Tinubu at global events and international forums,” he said.

Kwankwaso further claimed that President Tinubu’s decision had dealt a political setback to opposition parties and critics who had speculated about possible changes to the APC presidential ticket ahead of the next election.

His comments came shortly after President Tinubu formally submitted his presidential nomination documents to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and confirmed Vice President Shettima as his running mate for the party’s 2027 presidential campaign. The nomination documents were submitted through the President’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, during a brief ceremony attended by senior APC leaders in Abuja.

The confirmation effectively puts an end to months of speculation over the vice-presidential slot and signals the ruling party’s intention to maintain the same presidential ticket that won the 2023 election.

Political analysts say the early confirmation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket gives the APC ample time to consolidate its campaign structure, strengthen party unity and intensify consultations across the country before the commencement of official campaigns.

However, opposition parties have continued consultations and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that the race remains open and will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters.

With political activities already gathering momentum, the months ahead are expected to witness increased campaigns, strategic alliances and policy debates as parties position themselves for what is anticipated to be another fiercely contested presidential election.

2027 election: Tinubu’s retention of Shettima strengthens APC in the North – Kwankwaso

2027 election: APC confirms Tinubu, Shettima joint ticket as INEC nomination deadline closes

President Bola Tinubu will contest the 2027 presidential election with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate after the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed the submission of their nomination documents ahead of the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The development puts an end to months of intense speculation over the political future of Shettima, whose place on the APC ticket had been the subject of sustained public debate following reports that some influential figures within the ruling party wanted a different vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The confirmation came less than 24 hours before the close of INEC’s window for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates, as APC leaders received the completed nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima during a ceremony in Abuja attended by governors, federal lawmakers and senior party officials.

The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the Presidency by the President’s Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, who submitted the forms to the APC National Working Committee.

Receiving the documents, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, said the party was fully united behind President Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing the submission of the nomination forms as another important milestone in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general election.

According to him, millions of APC members had overwhelmingly endorsed President Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary, expressing confidence that the ruling party would secure another electoral victory in 2027.

Yilwatda also urged APC governors, elected officials and party leaders to intensify public engagement by highlighting what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration across key sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, security, education, healthcare, economic reforms and social investment.

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The event attracted several APC governors, including Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, alongside Governors of Borno, Kano, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kaduna and Yobe states, deputy governors, members of the National Assembly and other senior party stakeholders.

The confirmation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket follows months of political uncertainty fuelled by repeated endorsements of President Tinubu that omitted any reference to the Vice President, prompting speculation that the APC could replace Shettima before the 2027 election.

Political observers had linked the speculation to efforts by some party stakeholders to broaden the APC’s electoral appeal, while others argued that retaining the existing ticket would demonstrate continuity and internal stability within the ruling party.

However, senior Presidency and APC sources disclosed that Shettima had already completed the necessary nomination documentation required by the party, effectively confirming his status as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate for the election.

Under Nigeria’s electoral laws, a duly nominated vice-presidential candidate can only be substituted under conditions provided by the Electoral Act 2026, including voluntary withdrawal or other circumstances recognised by law.

The latest development is expected to strengthen confidence among APC supporters after months of uncertainty surrounding the composition of the party’s presidential ticket.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to remind political parties to comply strictly with the timetable for submitting candidates through its electronic Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).

According to the commission, all political parties are required to upload the names and particulars of candidates who emerged from valid party primaries within the period stipulated by the Electoral Act 2026.

Section 29 of the Act provides that political parties must submit the names of their candidates not later than 120 days before the date fixed for a general election, while every nominated candidate must also submit an affidavit confirming that constitutional requirements for the office sought have been satisfied.

INEC’s timetable fixed June 27 to July 11, 2026, as the period for political parties to electronically submit the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates.

The commission is expected to publish the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 25, 2026, while the deadline for the withdrawal or substitution of candidates is August 29, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act.

As of the time of filing this report, INEC had yet to publicly announce the complete list of successfully uploaded presidential nominations, although party officials expressed confidence that all statutory requirements would be met before the deadline expired.

The confirmation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket signals the beginning of another major phase in Nigeria’s political calendar as parties prepare for campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the APC settling its presidential ticket, attention is expected to shift to opposition parties, many of which are still finalising their own nominations and campaign strategies before the election season gathers momentum.

2027 election: APC confirms Tinubu, Shettima joint ticket as INEC nomination deadline closes

Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’ 

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga labels Obi a “pathological and serial liar” over allegations of government persecution and safety threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Presidency has strongly dismissed allegations by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and an attempt to portray himself as a victim. In a statement titled “Peter Obi’s New Lies,” the Presidency said Obi’s recent comments alleging intimidation by the government were unfounded and designed to attract public sympathy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Obi had claimed in an interview on the With Chude podcast that he faces systematic harassment and may not be alive to contest the 2027 election. He cited specific incidents to support his claims, including an airport incident where he alleged that officials locked his vehicle while other cars parked in the same area were left untouched, and officials dismissed his complaint. He also claimed that associates avoid greeting him publicly for fear of becoming government targets, and that some families have invited him to events only to ask him not to attend. Additionally, Obi stated that the government is deliberately frustrating his daily activities, adding, “Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so.”

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Reacting to these allegations, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the claims, insisting that the Tinubu administration had neither the time nor the inclination to persecute the former Anambra State governor. Onanuga argued that the airport issue resulted from Obi flouting parking regulations, not from any government action, stating that “Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government—citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations—are simply unfounded and misleading.”

The presidential spokesman went further, dismissing Obi’s claims as a fabricated narrative and using strong language to describe the NDC candidate. He called Obi a “pathological and serial liar” who is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations. Onanuga also addressed Obi’s claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events, describing this as “nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.”

The Presidency also rejected suggestions that the government was targeting Fidelity Bank due to Obi’s reported interests in the financial institution. According to the statement, the bank “continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms,” adding that there was no basis for claims that it was under any form of government persecution. “Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements,” the statement said.

The Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained focused on implementing economic reforms and improving the welfare of Nigerians. It added that the government would not be distracted by what it described as Obi’s “self-serving narratives” and insisted that the administration’s priority remained consolidating reforms for national development.

Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’