- Presidency: It hasn’t been discussed at this stage
- Buni, Yahaya, Sani, Radda: “We are not Interested In Becoming Tinubu’s VP”
By Abiola Olawale
As the 2027 Nigerian presidential election draws closer, political maneuvering within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is intensifying, with indications that President Bola Tinubu has not made a categorical statement on retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Inside sources within the APC have revealed that four northern governors—Yobe’s Mai Mala Buni, Gombe’s Muhammadu Yahaya, Kaduna’s Uba Sani, and Katsina’s Dikko Radda—are reportedly leading contenders for the 2027 vice-presidential slot.
This comes as Shettima, who played a key part in APC’s 2023 presidential victory, appears to be facing unannounced mounting challenges within the party.
The New Diplomat checks reveal that Shettima’s allies
are reportedly working to secure Tinubu’s full confidence in their boss.
Recall that controversy over Shettima’s future came into the limelight during an APC North-East stakeholders’ Forum in Gombe on June 15, 2025.
The event, intended to reaffirm support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, spiraled into chaos when the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) Mustapha Salihu endorsed Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate without mentioning Shettima as his running mate.
Angry delegates, chanting “Shettima! Shettima!”, protested the omission, leading to physical confrontations and the abrupt end of the summit.
Salihu later clarified that his omission was in line with party conventions, which focus endorsements on presidential candidates during primaries, not their running mates.
However, the incident has continued to trigger speculations and concerns about Shettima’s political future. Would Tinubu retain him as his VP candidate in 2027? Not many are willing to speak on the matter.
However, some politicians believe that Shettima’s inability to check the public criticism of government on certain policies by two of his political allies may be one of the issues that has generated concern in top places.
According to sources, the VP’s allies such as the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, and the Senator representing Borno South senatorial District of Borno State at the Senate, Ali Ndume, have been openly critical of the Tinubu administration on certain issues, especially escalating insecurity in the Northeast.
However, following increasing speculations that four governors may be scheming to take a shot at the VP slot in 2027, there have been spate of denials from the concerned governors, namely Buni, Yahaya, Sani, and Radda. They all distanced themselves from the 2027 Vice Presidential slot of the APC.
Yahaya, through his Director-General of Press Affairs, Ismaila Misilli, maintained that he has no intention to vie for Tinubu’s running mate role.
Misilli said this principal is fully committed to delivering on his mandate and supporting Tinubu’s reelection bid. “The Governor is not eyeing the Vice Presidency,” he said, dismissing the rumors as baseless.
Also, Ibrahim Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Radda of Katsina, described the ongoing speculation as speculative and unfounded.
Mohammed asserted: “Governor Radda is focused on implementing his agenda in Katsina State. The idea of him running for VP is mere political imagination.”
