Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate, APC predicts comfortable 2027 victory

By Johnson Arua

President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over his choice ahead of the submission deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The confirmation came on Friday as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, received the duly completed INEC presidential nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima at a ceremony in Abuja.

The party subsequently uploaded the names of both candidates to the INEC nomination portal before Saturday's deadline.

Speaking at the event, Yilwatda dismissed concerns over opposition campaigns, insisting that the ruling party was heading into the 2027 election with a solid support base of more than 12 million registered members.

He said the submission of the nomination forms marked the culmination of the party's primary election process, which produced candidates for various elective offices, including the presidency.

"Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of the APC who overwhelmingly voted Mr President as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election," Yilwatda said.

The APC chairman also argued that the Tinubu administration's policies would further boost the party's electoral fortunes.

According to him, beneficiaries of initiatives such as the student loan scheme, road infrastructure projects across the six geopolitical zones and fertiliser support for farmers would rally behind the President at the polls.

He noted that over 1.5 million students had benefited from the student loan programme, while several communities had witnessed infrastructure development under the current administration.

Yilwatda urged APC governors and party supporters to intensify efforts to publicise the administration's achievements, saying members of his own community had independently verified government projects and confirmed their authenticity.

The nomination forms were presented on behalf of President Tinubu by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Masari.

The event was attended by APC governors led by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, members of the National Working Committee, APC lawmakers, ministers, governorship and senatorial candidates, and other party stakeholders.

Expressing confidence in the party's chances, Yilwatda charged Masari to convey to the President that APC members were fully behind his re-election bid.

"We are not afraid, we are not in doubt of our success; there is no shaking at all in any way. Come 2027, our victory as a party is assured," he declared.