The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has opposed any attempts to remove Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election, describing such a move as a serious political miscalculation.

The forum made its position known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, issued by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, in response to reports suggesting that some members of the ruling party were advocating for Shettima’s replacement.

Speculation intensified after Shettima’s photograph was omitted from a banner featuring APC leaders in the North-East during the party’s zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner displayed President Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone, and the party’s National Legal Adviser.

The development has reignited debate over the viability of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027 and Shettima’s political future, with some party stakeholders reportedly calling for a Christian from the North to replace him. Groups from the North-Central region, in particular, have suggested that a Christian running mate from the area should be chosen.

However, the North-Central APC Forum warned that replacing Shettima would be disastrous for the party and could undermine Tinubu’s re-election prospects. The forum emphasized that the region is focused on contesting the presidency in 2031 and is not seeking the vice-presidential slot in 2027.

Cautioning against allowing religious considerations to dictate political decisions, the forum noted that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with the grassroots support, national appeal, and political structure necessary to complement Tinubu’s electoral strength. It argued that abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket would only benefit the opposition.

“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the next election,” the forum stated. “We sincerely advise President Tinubu and party leaders not to heed such calls, as it would be a grievous political miscalculation.”

The forum further accused proponents of Shettima’s removal of acting against the interests of the party and the President, asserting that their motives are aimed at preventing Tinubu’s re-election.

Analysing voting trends in the North, the forum argued that replacing Shettima would not attract new voters, but could instead cost Tinubu crucial support. It also noted that if the opposition coalition, backed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, changing the running mate would not alter voter behavior among minorities in the North.

The forum therefore urged Tinubu to maintain the current ticket, insisting that those advocating for a change did not support him in 2023 and would likely remain opposed in 2027, regardless of any replacement.

“If you examine the 2023 elections, many of these communities voted for Peter Obi. Even if Tinubu replaces Shettima with a Christian, there is no guarantee of their support in 2027. What is more likely is a loss of core northern votes, giving an advantage to Peter Obi,” the statement said.

The forum also dismissed suggestions that foreign powers, including the United States and other Western nations, could influence Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket. It reaffirmed Nigeria’s sovereignty and warned that external interference could threaten democracy and provoke unnecessary conflict.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket contributed to our victory in 2023. Nigeria is an independent nation, and no external power will dictate our political choices,” the statement concluded.