Fresh political tension is quietly building within the All Progressives Congress as Nigerians continue to speculate over whether President Bola Tinubu will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
After emerging unchallenged as the APC presidential candidate, attention has now shifted to the next major political question — who will stand beside Tinubu in the race for another term.
Unlike the heated 2022 APC primary battle where Tinubu faced strong contenders including Yemi Osinbajo and Rotimi Amaechi, this time the president secured the party’s ticket with little resistance.
Political observers say Tinubu now has firm control of the APC structure, making his eventual choice of running mate one of the most closely watched decisions ahead of 2027.
Although the Muslim-Muslim ticket generated heavy criticism in 2022, many analysts believe the controversy has gradually faded over time.
Supporters of Shettima argue that the vice president has remained extremely loyal to Tinubu since taking office and has carefully avoided political conflicts or public disagreements with his principal.
Some analysts have even described Shettima as one of the most loyal vice presidents Nigeria has seen in recent democratic history.
Observers also believe dropping Shettima at this stage could create political tension in the North, where the vice president still commands strong influence and loyal supporters.
The relationship between First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Hajia Nana Shettima has also been cited as another factor strengthening the partnership within the presidency.
Despite ongoing political calculations and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, many within the APC reportedly expect Tinubu to retain Shettima for the 2027 race.
However, political insiders insist that in Nigerian politics, nothing is ever completely certain until official announcements are made.
The development has continued to fuel debate online, with Nigerians divided over whether Tinubu should maintain continuity or make a strategic political change ahead of the election.
