2027: TINUBU’S CHOICE OF SHETTIMA GENERATES MIXED REACTIONS
Read Time:3 Minute, 38 Second
By: Fasasi Hammad
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election has sparked mixed reactions among political analysts and voters, with opinions divided over its electoral implications and impact on national unity.
While supporters view the move as a strategic decision that could strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the next general election, critics argue that retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket fails to address concerns about inclusiveness and religious balance.
Political analysts Aminu Rabiu and Kabiru Ojo, as well as prospective voter Rabiu Muhammad, offered differing perspectives on the President’s decision in separate interviews with the media.
Kano-based political analyst Aminu Rabiu said the APC believes the Tinubu-Shettima ticket remains a winning combination and expects it to deliver another electoral victory in 2027.
According to him, retaining Shettima reflects unity, stability and confidence within the ruling party.
He argued that dropping the Vice President could have created political backlash and weakened the party’s chances of retaining power.
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Rabiu maintained that the Muslim-Muslim ticket still holds electoral value, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and remains a key component of the APC’s political calculations.
He noted that speculation over Shettima’s fate arose because neither President Tinubu, the Vice President nor the APC publicly clarified whether the existing ticket would be retained.
The analyst added that some APC members, particularly Christians, had advocated for a Muslim-Christian ticket to promote inclusiveness and religious balance.
He also cited international discussions about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria as another factor that fueled speculation about a possible change in the ticket.
Rabiu, however, said the APC ultimately chose continuity because it believes the arrangement remains politically advantageous.
He argued that while a vice-presidential candidate contributes to electoral success, the presidential candidate remains the dominant factor in determining election outcomes.
According to him, the APC’s decision is based on a strategy that proved effective in the 2023 election and could still deliver results in 2027.
Rabiu further suggested that divisions within opposition parties have strengthened the APC’s position ahead of the next election, predicting a narrow victory for the ruling party.
Political analyst Kabiru Ojo also defended the decision, saying replacing Shettima could have alienated northern political leaders and weakened the APC’s support base in the region.
According to Ojo, retaining the Vice President reassures northern stakeholders and prevents perceptions that loyal allies can be discarded for political convenience.
He argued that replacing Shettima with a northern Christian candidate could have pushed many northern Muslim voters toward opposition candidates.
Ojo said concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria and international conversations surrounding religious representation likely contributed to the debate before the APC announced its ticket.
However, he believes the President concluded that preserving northern support was more important than altering the ticket.
The analyst also highlighted Shettima’s influence in the North-East and his relationship with APC governors in the region as factors that likely informed the decision.
He described the Vice President as one of Tinubu’s most loyal political allies and said removing him could have damaged the President’s standing in Northern Nigeria.
Despite supporting the decision, Ojo noted that dissatisfaction among many northern youths with the current administration could still affect the outcome of the 2027 election.
In contrast, Jigawa-based voter Rabiu Muhammad described the decision as a missed opportunity to promote national unity and religious inclusion.
While acknowledging that the APC opted for continuity, he argued that retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket does not adequately reflect Nigeria’s religious and regional diversity.
Muhammad said many Nigerians remain uncomfortable with the arrangement and believe it sends the wrong message about inclusiveness.
He disclosed that the decision has influenced his voting plans, stating that he intends to support a different candidate in the 2027 election.
According to him, leadership at the highest level should reflect fairness, national unity and equal representation.
He added that the qualities he expects in a vice president include integrity, competence, experience and the ability to unite Nigerians across religious and regional divides.
The differing views underscore the continuing debate over the APC’s decision as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential election.
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