As the race toward the 2027 presidential election gains momentum, evolving dynamics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are fueling speculation that President Bola Tinubu may drop Vice President Kashim Shettima in favor of a new running mate possibly a Christian from the North Central region.
Political analyst and Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, shared this perspective during an appearance on Arise TV over the weekend.
According to Amadi, Tinubu may be strategically weighing a shift to a more regionally and religiously balanced ticket, with an eye on a Christian vice presidential candidate from the North Central a region that has long been underrepresented in Nigeria’s highest offices.
This development follows a recent APC endorsement rally in Gombe, where Shettima’s name was conspicuously left out. The omission has since sparked widespread debate about his standing within the party and his place on the 2027 ticket.
Amadi linked Tinubu’s current maneuvering to his gubernatorial tenure in Lagos, where he was known for frequently changing deputy governors to suit his evolving political calculations.
“A strategist might argue it’s wise to pair a Muslim president from the South with a Christian VP from North Central especially since that region hasn’t held either top office since 1999,” Amadi noted.
He suggested the move could help the APC shore up support in the Middle Belt and respond to criticisms of its 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket. Such a shift, he argued, could broaden the party’s appeal and reflect a more inclusive national character.
Still, Amadi cautioned that replacing Shettima could provoke backlash, especially in the North East. He criticized the VP’s allies for what he described as a sense of entitlement and for reacting too openly to recent political signals.
“No president wants a vice president whose camp behaves like they’re guaranteed a spot on the next ticket especially when broader political calculations are in play,” he said.
Amadi also highlighted broader changes in Nigeria’s political landscape, pointing to a younger, more discerning electorate that values governance and accountability over ethnic and religious considerations. This shift, he said, will require parties like the APC to rethink their traditional strategies.
As the countdown to 2027 continues, the APC must navigate delicate internal politics while also responding to the demands of an evolving electorate and a rapidly changing political climate.
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