2027: APC Confirms Shettima As Tinubu’s Running Mate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday formally confirmed Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, putting to rest months of speculation over the ticket.

The party also submitted the nomination forms of both leaders to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of Saturday’s 6pm deadline for uploading presidential and National Assembly candidates, as stipulated in the Electoral Act, 2026.

The forms were presented to APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party secretariat in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, qIbrahim Masari.

The ceremony drew top party stakeholders including members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the APC National Working Committee, state party chairmen, and some governorship candidates.

APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described it as the official presentation of “the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.”

He recalled that Tinubu had earlier emerged as the party’s presidential candidate through its primary and urged members to stay united ahead of 2027.

Speaking for the governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reaffirmed their backing for Tinubu and the party leadership.

“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” Uzodimma said.

He called on members to close ranks behind all APC candidates, expressing confidence that the party would retain power in the next general election.

Receiving the forms, National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda said the event reflected the party’s confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.

He listed the student loan scheme, infrastructure projects, and agricultural interventions as key achievements of the administration, and expressed optimism that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket would secure another term.

“We will all come out and mobilise across the six geopolitical zones. I am sure there will be healthy competition among the governors. One geopolitical zone has already told me they will deliver the highest number of votes for Mr President,” Yilwatda stated.

He added that the APC would campaign on the administration’s record, saying Nigerians would reward Tinubu’s performance with another mandate.

The confirmation ends months of debate within the party over the vice-presidential slot and clears the way for the APC to focus fully on its 2027 re-election campaign.