North-East delegates fight for Shettima’s second term with Tinubu

Delegates at the North-East zonal consultative meeting have firmly stated their opposition to any attempt by President Bola Tinubu to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for a second term.

Expressing dismay, the delegates noted that what they initially dismissed as mere rumors was unfolding before them, emphasizing that in 2027, the people of the former North-Eastern State would make it clear to Tinubu that the North-East is not a region to be manipulated for Lagos politics.

A distressed delegate at the Gombe State meeting, speaking anonymously to The Guardian, lamented that security personnel prevented them from confronting APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, over the issue.

The delegate explained that the unrest at the meeting stemmed from rumors that APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje was bringing an unfavorable message for the zone. Tensions escalated when Salihu, in his speech, omitted Shettima’s name from Tinubu’s second-term ticket, fueling suspicions.

Although Salihu faced verbal backlash for not mentioning Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, the crowd grew increasingly agitated and unmanageable when Ganduje repeated what many had hoped was a simple oversight.

“It was when Ganduje delivered his speech that it became obvious that APC leaders want to drop Shettima from the presidential ticket, and our people showed them that it would not be an easy decision to make,” said a former commissioner from one of the North-East states.

In his opening remarks, Yobe Governor and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), Mai Mala Buni, highlighted the region’s significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Buni reflected on his positive experiences during his two terms as APC’s National Secretary and acting national chairman, affirming that the APC continues to hold great promise for Nigeria.

While thanking Ganduje for attending the meeting in person, Buni noted that the consultative meetings serve as zonal platforms for mid-term self-assessment, allowing the party to evaluate its successes and challenges.

“I seize this opportunity to congratulate us on APC’s 10 years of leadership in Nigeria and Africa’s largest political party. However, it is important to note that this achievement is not a coincidence, but a product of careful and strategic planning, focused leadership and giving members a sense of belonging.

“Therefore, it is important for us to continue promoting the values that unite us, address the few wranglings, give party supporters a sense of belonging and improve our reward system,” Buni stated.

Previously, Salihu Nataro, a former APC governorship candidate in Kebbi State, had urged President Tinubu to prioritize reorganizing his cabinet instead of focusing on the issue of his running mate for the 2027 election.