Amid swirling political speculations over the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is considering replacing him with another northern politician.
Multiple reports had suggested that six high-profile members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were being touted as possible alternatives to Shettima on the 2027 ticket.
But top government insiders say there is “no such plan” and that the bond between the President and his Vice President remains solid.
Those speculated to be in the running include:
Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State;
Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser;
Mohammed Bago, Niger State Governor;
Uba Sani, Kaduna State Governor;
Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State Governor, and
Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Each of the names was floated for strategic or religious reasons. Yari, according to sources who spoke with Vanguard, is being considered due to his close political relationship with Tinubu, while NSA Ribadu is reportedly seen as a long-term prospect for the 2031 presidency.
Dogara’s name is allegedly being pushed to balance the religious dynamics on the ticket by replacing the Muslim-Muslim pairing with a Christian-Muslim one, to court broader national appeal.
As for the three governors, Bago, Sani, and Yahaya, party loyalists reportedly cited their “brilliant performances” in office and rising political profiles as the basis for their inclusion.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who spoke with Vanguard on the speculation, stated categorically that no rift exists between the President and his deputy.
He added that any discussion about a running mate for 2027 is premature, noting that such decisions are only made after party primaries.
Meanwhile, those close to the administration argue that Shettima’s political base in the North, especially in Borno State, remains a key strategic asset for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The source said, “President Tinubu will not risk dropping Shettima in 2027. The vice president is an asset to him. First and foremost, he has a formidable structure. Remember he was the first to support President Tinubu before the All Progressives Congress.
“There was a conspiracy among some party members to stop Tinubu from contesting the party primaries but Shettima stood solidly with him and openly supported him.
“You can also remember the time he described the former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo an ice cream seller and he was even the Director General of the Tinubu’s campaign and formed the nucleus for his election. Since his emergence as the Vice President, he has been loyal to his boss. Remember loyalty is one of the cardinal considerations in politics.
“Again, competence is another consideration. He has not failed in any assignment given to him by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President Tinubu is one of the smartest politicians around and he knows what he wants.”
The source further described the Vice President as a detribalized Nigerian who rose to the occasion when some youths in the North gave a quit notice to the people of the South East extraction to leave the North.
According to the source, immediately the ultimatum was issued to the Igbos, he rallied the Southeast leaders to ensure the issues were sorted out amicably.
The source even claimed that some individuals who lacked a political structure and could not win an election in their wards were behind the scheme to drop Shettima due to their selfish interests.
It was also gathered that the relationship between the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of the Vice President, Hanna Nana Shettima, may also work in favour of Shettima.
The relationship between Tinubu’s wife and that of the VP Shettima is said to be so strong that it would be difficult for them to be separated abruptly, after the duo had formed a strong bond that is said to be giving the federal government some form of acceptability, support and goodwill in different parts of the country.
One source pointed out that through Mrs. Tinubu’s pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), millions of Nigerians, especially women and girls, have been given succour through an empowerment programme.
The wife of the vice president is said to have become an integral part of the RHI and is often seen with Senator Oluremi Tinubu, occasionally representing the President’s wife when she has other engagements.
Sources within the Villa claim that Senator Olureni Tinubu was comfortable working with Shettima’s wife, and this could play a part in Tinubu retaining his vice in 2027.
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