The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the Muslim-Muslim ticket remains a winning strategy for the ruling party.
The appeal was made in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga.
This comes amid renewed calls from some northern political and ethnic groups warning against repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which they claim cost the APC significant votes in states like Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory during the 2023 elections.
Dominic Alancha, leader of the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, recently cautioned that the APC risks further setbacks in the Middle Belt if Tinubu does not adjust the ticket in the next election.
However, Zazzaga dismissed these concerns, describing them as unnecessary distractions. He argued that the choice of running mate was purely strategic and not designed to sideline any religious group.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt, which is part of the North-Central, and this is because of the key positions held by Middle Belt Christians in the APC government,” Zazzaga stated.
He pointed to the appointments of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume—both Middle Belt Christians—as evidence that the region is well represented in Tinubu’s administration.
The Forum also stressed that Tinubu’s achievements in office, rather than the religious balance of his ticket, would determine his electoral success in 2027.
“We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central. His performance will guarantee reelection, and there is no need to take the needless risk of changing a winning team,” the statement read.
The group further argued that those calling for a religiously balanced ticket mostly supported Labour Party’s Peter Obi in 2023 and are unlikely to back Tinubu even if the APC alters its structure.
Concluding, the Forum urged President Tinubu to “maintain the same team that secured victory in 2023” as a way of consolidating on his administration’s achievements and strengthening APC’s chances in 2027.
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