•Shettima and Tinubu
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum has rejected calls for President Bola Tinubu to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement today, the forum’s chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, dismissed suggestions made by the North-Central Renaissance Movement that the Vice Presidency should be zoned to North-Central, insisting that the region remains committed to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, reports The Nation.
“The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum rejects calls for President Bola Tinubu to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2027.
“These calls are not emanating from stakeholders within the APC in the North-Central zone. We disassociate ourselves from such suggestions and hereby emphasize that our endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election extends to Vice President Kashim Shettima,” the Forum affirmed.
Zazzaga, who was a member of the APC’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, said the Forum was satisfied with Shettima’s performance and urged President Tinubu to “Disregard the antics of individuals and groups attempting to derail his administration.”
“We are pleased with the role played by Vice President Kashim Shettima in President Tinubu’s administration. We also commend the harmonious working relationship between the President and Vice President, a collaboration envied by the opposition, who are now attempting to sow discord in the APC government,” the Forum stated.
Reiterating its commitment to the President’s re-election bid, the Forum reaffirmed its promise to deliver six million votes for Tinubu in 2027, citing broad satisfaction with the administration’s performance in the North-Central zone.
“We also reaffirm that the six million votes we promised Mr President remain intact. We are pleased with the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministerial portfolios, and other positions allocated to the North-Central, as well as the infrastructural projects being implemented in the zone,” the statement added.
The Forum went further to list the region’s representation in key Federal Ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Kwara State; Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Niger State; Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Plateau State; Ministry of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nasarawa State; Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, FCT; and Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Benue State, among other Federal institutions.
The Forum highlighted that its endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term, initially made in December 2024, was grounded in the administration’s developmental strides and inclusive governance style.
“The Forum evaluated the federal government’s programmes and initiatives, and it is evident that, since the advent of democracy in Nigeria, no other president has provided as many opportunities for the North-Central as President Bola Tinubu,” Zazzaga stated.
He added that Tinubu’s government had launched more infrastructural projects in the region than any previous administration and praised the President’s economic reforms, which he said were already yielding tangible benefits.
“The economic policies introduced by President Tinubu are already yielding results, as evidenced by the recent strengthening of the Naira in the foreign exchange market, increased oil production, and a rise in foreign reserves, among other achievements,” the Forum stated.
They also cited progress in petroleum sector reforms, which they said had eliminated fuel scarcity and laid the groundwork for eventual price reductions, with positive implications for inflation control.
“The North-Central APC Forum believes President Tinubu deserves a second term to oversee the continuation of these reforms, which are already bearing fruit. We call on all Nigerians to support his administration to improve the country’s situation further,” the Forum said.
Emphasising its resounding endorsement of the President’s leadership, the Forum affirmed, “After extensive deliberations, the North-Central APC Forum has given the President a commendation for his achievements in areas such as security, appointments, infrastructure, and economic management.
“We firmly stand behind President Bola Tinubu, whose bold leadership has brought significant progress to our region.
“We urge all Nigerians to rally behind the President and support his bid for a second term, enabling him to deepen the gains of his reform policies.
“As we did in 2023, the North-Central APC Forum assures President Tinubu and his supporters that we will work tirelessly for his re-election in 2027.”
