The Presidency has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that any move to replace him could have destabilised the ruling All Progressives Congress at a crucial political period.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the decision reflected the President’s confidence in a trusted deputy whose loyalty, experience and contributions have helped sustain the administration since it assumed office in May 2023.
In a commentary titled “2027: Tinubu-Shettima and the Politics of Loyalty, Capacity, Continuity,” Nkwocha said retaining Shettima had effectively ended months of speculation about the Vice President’s political future while reaffirming the partnership that secured the APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, replacing the Vice President would have created unnecessary uncertainty within the party and provided opposition groups with an opportunity to exploit perceived divisions within the administration.
“By retaining Vice President Shettima, President Tinubu has done more than fill a space on the ballot. He has quelled a major source of needless political anxiety within the ruling party, shut down months of speculation over the Vice President’s place on the ticket, and reaffirmed the partnership that led the APC to victory in 2023,” Nkwocha stated.
The presidential aide said Shettima had earned the President’s trust through disciplined service, steadfast loyalty and effective execution of key national assignments.
He highlighted the Vice President’s role as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), where he has coordinated discussions between the Federal Government and state governors on critical issues including economic reforms, food security, agriculture, infrastructure development, digital innovation, nutrition and sub-national growth.
Nkwocha argued that Shettima has consistently defended government policies while operating within the constitutional limits of his office, describing him as a dependable deputy who has strengthened unity within the administration.
He also revisited debates surrounding the APC’s same-faith ticket during the 2023 elections, insisting that the choice of Shettima was based on competence, governance experience and political strategy rather than religious considerations.
According to him, retaining the Vice President offers continuity and ensures that the President continues to work with a deputy who is already familiar with the administration’s priorities, policy objectives and political realities, thereby avoiding the risks associated with introducing a new running mate ahead of a re-election campaign.
Nkwocha further noted that Shettima’s experience as a former governor of Borno State during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, as well as his tenure in the Senate, has strengthened his political profile and reinforced the APC’s support base in northern Nigeria.
He added that the decision sends a positive signal to party members that loyalty, consistency and performance are recognised and rewarded within the ruling party.
Despite expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects, Nkwocha cautioned that retaining Shettima alone would not guarantee electoral success in 2027.
“The retention of Shettima gives the ruling party a stronger platform, but it does not remove the need to persuade voters with evidence of delivery,” he said.
He stressed that with the composition of the presidential ticket now settled, attention should shift from political speculation to governance performance and the administration’s ability to translate ongoing reforms into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Nkwocha concluded that President Tinubu’s decision reflects a preference for continuity and stability, preserving a political partnership that has endured governance challenges, economic reforms and sustained political pressure while positioning the APC for the 2027 general election.
Replacing Shettima Would Have Disrupted APC Stability, Says Presidential Aide
