Tensions are mounting within Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid reports of a brewing plan to exclude Vice President Kashim Shettima from the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections. The controversy took a dramatic turn during a North-East APC stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe on Sunday, where the absence of Shettima’s name in an endorsement speech for President Bola Tinubu triggered chaos.
The meeting, initially intended as a show of support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid, devolved into violence when APC National Vice Chairman for the North-East, Mustapha Salihu, endorsed Tinubu’s candidacy without acknowledging Shettima as his running mate. Salihu declared the region’s support for Tinubu as the “sole candidate” for 2027, omitting any mention of the Vice President.
This omission sparked immediate outrage among delegates, many of whom began chanting Shettima’s name in protest. The tension quickly escalated as Salihu was physically attacked on stage. A video that has since gone viral captured the moment he was struck with a chair and had other objects, including a plastic bucket, hurled at him.
Attempts by senior party figures, including Deputy National Chairman (North) Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to control the situation failed, leading to the abrupt end of the gathering. Security forces had to use teargas to disperse the increasingly agitated crowd gathered outside the venue.
Many party delegates from the North-East interpreted the omission of Shettima as a deliberate affront. Usman Aliyu, a delegate from Borno State, described the move as a calculated insult to their region. He insisted that the region would push back by reaffirming support for the joint Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
Another delegate from Borno warned that the party risked serious consequences if Shettima were sidelined. According to him, the North-East viewed the Vice President as a critical political representative, and removing him from the 2027 ticket would be viewed as a betrayal.
Some members even threatened to shift their allegiance to opposition figures. An unnamed APC chieftain from Adamawa was quoted as saying he would campaign for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should Shettima be dropped.
Criticism also extended to Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who hosted the meeting and chairs the APC North-East Governors’ Forum. His speech was criticized for lacking clarity, as he praised Tinubu but did not explicitly endorse Shettima. In contrast, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni had earlier publicly backed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, along with several National Assembly members from the North-East.
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje also drew scrutiny for his ambiguous remarks. While he acknowledged the North-East’s contribution to the presidency, he stopped short of confirming Shettima’s place on the 2027 ticket. Ganduje said, “This zone has produced the number two of this country… It is one ticket according to the Constitution,” but his comments failed to calm tensions.
Despite the uproar, some party leaders have sought to downplay the incident. Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), dismissed the reports as political distractions. He emphasized that there was no rift between Tinubu and Shettima and that they continued to work well together.
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also stated that he was unaware of any moves to replace the Vice President, reinforcing the official stance that Shettima’s position was secure. Meanwhile, sources close to the party’s National Working Committee told The PUNCH that Salihu was the only regional member opposed to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. All other NWC members from the North-East reportedly supported maintaining the current presidential team.
Nevertheless, internal divisions persist, and speculation continues that some influential figures within the APC are exploring the possibility of substituting Shettima with another northern politician perceived to carry more political weight heading into 2027.
Political analysts warn that the incident reveals deeper fractures within the party that could lead to wider unrest if not addressed. James Abass, a political commentator, said the outrage reflects the North-East’s strong identification with Shettima. According to him, any attempt to remove Shettima from the ticket could result in defections or rebellion within the APC.
The episode in Gombe highlights the fragile unity within the ruling party as it begins to position itself for the next general elections. With the 2027 polls still two years away, the APC leadership may face increasing pressure to clarify its ticket and mend internal divisions before they spiral into larger political fallout.
