2027: APC N’East meeting ends in chaos as Shettima’s position faces threat

• Ganduje smuggled out of meeting venue in Gombe

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) North East zonal consultative meeting in Gombe, yesterday, descended into chaos amid speculations of an internal conspiracy to sideline Vice President Kashim Shettima from President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election ticket.

The high-level consultative meeting convened by key party stakeholders from the six states of the Northeastern states, including Governors of Borno, Yobe and Gombe and National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other officials of the party ended in disarray when the national vice chairman (North East), Mustapha Salihu omitted Shettima’s name while endorsing Tinubu for a second term. In his remarks, Salihu noted that President Tinubu and his renewed hope had given North East a full cow and that there was no need to fight over the cow’s horns.

“We have no business not to support this party with all the juicy appointments and responsibilities given to us by this government. I would want all members of the zonal executive committee to stand-up so that we will do the proper endorsement because it is the zonal executive committee that holds the ticket. We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the national working committee, that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is endorsed to be the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election,” he stated.

Immediately after Salihu’s remarks, angry supporters of Shettima demanded that he take back his statement and ensure that Shettima was endorsed to continue with Tinubu. That led to fracas. During the commotion, chairs and other objects were seen flying among dignitaries.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who earlier announced his endorsement for Tinubu/Shettima to continue beyond 2027 was seen trying to calm the situation, just as Gaduje and other leaders of the party.

While the crisis signaled deeper cracks within the party ahead of 2027, Ganduje in his remarks assured that the national leaders were aware of the value and importance of the Northeastern zone and that they would not play with the zone.

“This zone has produced the number two of this country. We are proud of the zone. We are proud of Northern Nigeria and we are proud of Nigeria as a nation. I have to tell you, we have a progressive president, the leader of our party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we are proud of the vice president. It is a one ticket according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Immediately after his speech which was continually interrupted with the demand for his endorsement for Tinubu/Shettima, Ganduje was hastily escorted out of the venue under tight security to avoid confrontation.

“Salihu’s statement and endorsement implied that Shettima will not return as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027 and that was what spoiled everything. The Borno delegation and the people of North East see it as a direct affront,” a senior party chieftain, who attended the meeting, told Daily Sun.