An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Cletus Obun, has dismissed speculations that the ruling party plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima from President Bola Tinubu’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the reports as unfounded and politically motivated.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Obun said the APC has not held any discussion whatsoever about altering the Tinubu–Shettima ticket, stressing that such conversations are premature and not on the party’s agenda.
“I don’t want to give veracity and authenticity to that kind of speculative story,” Obun said. “Nobody in APC has ever contemplated a discussion on that matter.”
According to him, the ruling party is currently preoccupied with governance and addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, rather than engaging in what he described as unnecessary political distractions.
“What we are into now as a political party is to deal with issues of governance and the very turbulent issues facing Nigeria today,” he said. “We cannot be discussing candidacy even before the primaries, not even to talk about conventions and congresses.”
Obun argued that those pushing the narrative of a possible change in the 2027 ticket are acting out of mischief and lack of goodwill toward the country.
“So whoever and wherever that kind of rumour is coming from, it might be coming from very idle minds that don’t wish Nigeria well,” he stated.
Defending the current Vice President, Obun questioned the logic behind calls for altering what he described as a successful political pairing, noting that the Tinubu–Shettima ticket had already secured victory in the 2023 presidential election.
“What would be the basis for changing a winning team?” he asked.
He went further to praise Shettima’s intellectual capacity, political experience, and performance in office, insisting that the Vice President remains one of the strongest assets of the administration.
“Nobody in this country, if you put them on a debate with any of the presidential candidates that were paraded last time, can come near Kashim Shettima by pedigree or intellectual urbanity,” Obun said.
Obun also recalled the controversy that initially surrounded the Muslim–Muslim ticket ahead of the 2023 elections, noting that many of its critics have since become supporters of the administration.
“Those who paraded the issue of Muslim–Muslim ticket before, where are they today?” he asked. “They are now the hallelujah singers and cheerleaders in APC, jubilating with us over the decision that was taken.”
He maintained that the APC is instead focused on strengthening internal cohesion, repositioning the party, and delivering on its promises to Nigerians.
“Where we are now as a political party is how to put ourselves in a position to give the best to Nigerians,” Obun said, citing insecurity, education, and infrastructure as key areas of concern.
Obun insisted that the ruling party would not be distracted by rumours or speculative debates about 2027, stressing that any discussion about future candidacy would only come at the appropriate time, in line with party processes and constitutional provisions.
Triumph Ojo
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