ABUJA, Nigeria — Mustapha Salihu, the National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has explained why Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name was omitted during his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, amid mounting speculation of internal party tensions.
Speaking on Monday, June 16, 2025, on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Salihu stated that his remarks at the APC North-East stakeholders’ summit in Gombe strictly followed party convention and constitutional guidelines.
“In my full speech—the last paragraph before the endorsement—I eulogised Kashim Shettima, recognising him as our son and expressing that we stand by him as people of the North-East,” he said.
Salihu added that he had also praised the National Security Adviser and other federal appointees from the region, thanking President Tinubu for their inclusion.
However, he emphasised that the party’s endorsement process at the primary stage is constitutionally limited to presidential candidates.
“In party politics, we have only one ticket at the primary stage—for the executive chairman, local government chairman, governors, and president,” Salihu explained.
“There is no provision in our constitution that allows for the endorsement of a joint ticket at that level.”
He noted that vice-presidential candidates are chosen only after a presidential flagbearer emerges, making it premature to endorse a running mate during pre-primary endorsements.
The explanation comes in the wake of protests at Sunday’s summit, which descended into disorder after Salihu’s endorsement of Tinubu excluded Shettima.
Attendees—many from the North-East region, which Shettima hails from—reacted angrily, prompting intervention by security operatives and party officials.
Efforts by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to calm tensions were unsuccessful until APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje addressed the gathering, offering praise for both Tinubu and Shettima.
The summit followed a broader pattern of endorsements within the APC.
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, 22 APC governors unanimously adopted President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election—again with no mention of the vice president.
Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has publicly criticised the endorsements, warning that such declarations do not guarantee re-election.
“I pity Tinubu,” he said, distancing himself from the process.
Salihu dismissed claims of a rift between the president and vice president, calling the speculation the product of “conflict entrepreneurs.”
“The administration of a party is not run on social media, newspapers, or television. It’s handled internally,” he said.
“People will always try to suggest friction between the principal and the Vice. It’s what some insecure politicians thrive on.”
He also denied allegations of coercion at the Gombe summit and revealed that investigations were ongoing into the disruption.
“No one was threatened to toe a particular line,” he stated, adding that he expected public apologies within 48 hours.
On fears that the omission may have deepened discontent in the North-East, Salihu said his engagements across Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe showed widespread understanding.
“Other zones didn’t even have the obligation we carried out,” he said.
“We did what the law permits—mentioning and praising our son. We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer.”
