By Abiola Olawale
Indications have emerged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, barring any last minute change, is likely to run again with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Sources reveal that despite heightened speculations that the Vice President might be schemes out by some unnamed political interest groups, checks show that Tinubu remains confident in Shettima’s loyalty and contributions to his administration
The New Diplomat’s checks also revealed that Tinubu views Shettima, a two-term governor of Borno State, as a critical ally whose political experience and influence in the North remain indispensable.
A source who spoke with The New Diplomat said: “President Tinubu values Shettima’s steadfastness and his ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Tinubu-Shettima ticket is set to continue into 2027.”
Another source maintained that since assuming office in 2023, Shettima has been a visible and active as vice president, spearheading initiatives in the Northeast and contributing to economic policy discussions.
The source also dismissed reports about the potential sotiation where Shettima will not be picked to run with Tinubu in 2027, maintaining there has never been such a discussion.
The source asserted: “The president will run with Shettima. You can file it away. Stop worrying about the rumour. He will.”
The New Diplomat reports that speculations had emerged about Shettima’s potential fate ahead of the 2027 elections in June 2025, when All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the North-east failed to mention Shettima while endorsing Tinubu for a second term at a defining zonal meeting.
During the meeting, APC National Vice Chairman for North-east, Mustapha Saliu, had concluded his speech without mentioning Shettima, while endorsing Tinubu openly.
Salihu stated: “We have no business not supporting this party with all the juicy appointments and responsibilities given to us by this government.
“I would want all members of the zonal executive committee to stand up so that we can do the proper endorsement, because it is the zonal executive committee that holds the ticket.
“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the National Working Committee that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election.”
However, the event turned rowdy as APC members began shouting and hurling insults at Salihu before he was rushed out of the venue by security agents.
The situation escalated further after the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, endorsed Tinubu alone, without mentioning Shettima.
He, too, had to be escorted out of the venue by security operatives.
