The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned its ministers, senior government functionaries and party officials, urging them to desist from actions or comments capable of fuelling speculations about the possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling party described the growing media reports and political chatter surrounding an alleged move to replace Shettima as purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.
The APC stressed that such narratives are capable of sowing discord within the party and creating unnecessary tension in the polity.
In a statement signed on Monday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said it had taken note of a growing media frenzy around the 2027 elections, particularly claims suggesting that Vice President Shettima may be dropped as Tinubu’s running mate.
According to the APC, while earlier reports on the matter were largely subtle and insinuative, the situation had recently escalated to a more troubling level, with specific individuals now being openly touted in the media and political circles as possible replacements for the vice president.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great Party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacement for Vice President Shettima.”
The party stated categorically that there was no truth whatsoever in the reports, dismissing them as the handiwork of rumour-mongers and individuals bent on promoting internal disunity and political confusion.
“Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless,” Morka said.
The APC further cautioned media organisations against amplifying such claims, urging media houses to exercise restraint and professional judgment by refusing to provide platforms mischievous news sources of questionable provenance.
Beyond addressing the speculation around the vice presidency, the APC also reminded party members and public office holders that the ban on political activities remains firmly in place under Nigeria’s electoral laws and regulations.
Morka emphasised that this was not the time for succession politics or internal power struggles, noting that the party’s immediate priority is governance and the delivery of President Tinubu’s policy agenda.
“Under our laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force,” he said.
“At this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people.”
However, the APC warned ministers, senior government officials and party leaders to avoid making statements or engaging in actions—whether deliberate or inadvertent—that could be interpreted as endorsing or encouraging speculation about the 2027 ticket.
The party said such distractions undermine collective efforts to consolidate the gains of the Tinubu administration and project a united front to Nigerians.
“We call on our ministers, senior government and party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party.
“And bolster the success and achievements of President Tinubu,” Morka added.
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