Amid swirling rumours of a possible fallout between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, prominent leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have come forward to firmly debunk the speculations, describing them as unfounded and deliberately misleading.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Ismaeel Ahmed—a key APC figure and former member of the party’s Board of Trustees—categorically denied the existence of any internal discord. He dismissed the circulating reports that Vice President Shettima might be replaced before the 2027 general elections, insisting that such claims are entirely baseless.
“There is no truth to it. I know very well that there is mutual trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Ahmed said. “Nobody has a perfect relationship, but trying to manufacture a crisis where there is none is just malicious.”
He went on to criticize what he termed “conflict peddling” by individuals who either lack understanding of the inner workings of the presidency or are intentionally spreading disinformation for political gain. Ahmed stressed the importance of focusing on the administration’s current developmental objectives rather than being distracted by premature election chatter.
“We have been given a four-year mandate by the Nigerian people. Two years have passed already, with one year to the primaries and two to the general elections. Now is the time to concentrate on governance, not on 2027 projections,” he stated.
North-East Endorsement: Misunderstood or Misguided?
The speculation gained traction after the APC North-East Summit held on Sunday in Gombe, where the party’s National Vice Chairman for the zone, Mustapha Salihu, publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term—without mentioning Vice President Shettima. The omission stirred controversy and was interpreted by some as a sign of internal division or sidelining of Shettima.
However, Ismaeel Ahmed sought to clarify the situation, saying the endorsement was ceremonial and consistent with long-standing party customs. “In APC, it is not typical for a sitting president to be challenged for a second term. That’s just the tradition,” he explained.
He dismissed the public drama around the endorsement as unnecessary political showmanship. “President Tinubu doesn’t require a public endorsement to run in 2027—his candidacy is almost assured if he chooses to contest,” Ahmed added. He also warned against what he called “orchestrated sycophancy,” cautioning that such distractions detract from the administration’s governance priorities.
No Fear of Opposition, Just a Call for Focus
On the subject of political competition, Ahmed reassured the public that APC is not intimidated by any opposition forces. He advised party members to avoid wasting energy on hypothetical challenges and instead double down on effectively communicating the administration’s achievements to the Nigerian people.
“APC is not afraid of any opposition,” Ahmed emphasized. “Let’s not enter campaign mode prematurely. The focus should be on performance and connecting with citizens, not political theatrics.”
Salihu: No Rift, Just Political Misinterpretation
Also appearing on Politics Today—but a day earlier—APC North-East Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu echoed Ahmed’s sentiments, vehemently denying any claims that Vice President Shettima was being marginalized within the party. He attributed the rumours to “conflict entrepreneurs” who thrive on sowing division.
Salihu emphasized that real decisions within the APC are made internally and not through social media debates or press coverage. “Party administration doesn’t take place on Twitter or television; it happens behind closed doors,” he stated.
Addressing the controversy surrounding his endorsement of President Tinubu, Salihu clarified that it would have been politically improper and premature to suggest a running mate at this stage. “There’s only one presidential ticket. Endorsing Tinubu doesn’t mean we’re sidelining anyone,” he said.
Salihu concluded by affirming that there is no unrest in the North-East, and any claims of discontent are unfounded. He and Ahmed both called on APC members and the Nigerian public to rally behind the leadership of Tinubu and Shettima as the administration works to fulfill its promises to the nation.
In Summary:
Despite recent speculations, top APC figures insist that the relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima remains solid. They have urged Nigerians to ignore divisive rumours and instead focus on supporting the government’s developmental goals as the 2027 elections remain years away.
