APC Chieftain Issues Strong Warning Against Replacing Shettima Ahead of 2027 Election
A senior leader within Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has voiced significant concerns over reported plans to alter the party's presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ichie Ferdinand Iloduba, a foundation member of the APC in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, has strongly advised against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu's running mate.
Strategic Alliance at Risk
In an exclusive telephone interview, Iloduba emphasized that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket represents a crucial strategic alliance that has been instrumental in securing northern support for the party. He warned that replacing Shettima with a Northern Christian candidate, ostensibly to address religious balance concerns, could prove to be a serious political miscalculation.
"Decisions of this nature must be guided by political calculations and electoral realities, not sentiment," Iloduba stated firmly. "Any misstep in this delicate matter could significantly affect the party's chances in the 2027 elections."
Potential Consequences of Ticket Changes
The APC chieftain outlined several potential negative outcomes that could arise from altering the established ticket:
- Internal party crisis and fragmentation
- Difficulty for any new running mate to build trust and working relationships with both the party and the president
- Disruption of policy coordination, particularly as election preparations intensify
- Introduction of uncertainty within the ruling party and in public perception
Iloduba, who served as a prominent member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in his council area during the 2023 presidential election, stressed that Shettima's political pedigree in Northern Nigeria represents a valuable asset that would be difficult to replace.
Focus on Unity and Strategy
Rather than debating the religious affiliation of ticket bearers, which Iloduba described as non-essential, he urged party leaders to concentrate on strategic planning to unite the party and mobilize support ahead of 2027. He acknowledged that religious balance in leadership is important for a multi-religious country like Nigeria but suggested that inclusivity could be promoted through other means without disrupting the existing political arrangement.
"The purpose of appointing Kashim Shettima in the first place is to garner adequate support from the Northern populace," Iloduba explained. "I do not see any strong Christian who can take his place and command similar support in the North."
Understanding Nigeria's Political Landscape
The APC leader emphasized that Nigeria's political environment requires solutions tailored to its unique social and political peculiarities. He posed critical questions about the viability of replacing Shettima:
- How many Muslims versus Christians are in the Northeast region?
- What support base would a Christian vice-presidential candidate from the Northeast enjoy from that region?
- What capacity would such a candidate have to galvanize support for the APC ahead of 2027?
Iloduba maintained that the Tinubu-Shettima pairing represents continuity and a strategic alliance across regions that should be preserved for the party's electoral success.
Broader Party Concerns
This warning aligns with concerns expressed by other senior APC figures who have cautioned against tampering with the established presidential ticket. Multiple party insiders have emphasized that meddling with the already approved ticket could undermine party cohesion and electoral prospects at a critical juncture.
These voices within the party are urging stakeholders to focus instead on campaign mobilization and issue-based politics, warning that public squabbles over the ticket could weaken the APC's standing as the 2027 elections approach. The consensus among these concerned party members is that unity and strategic focus should take precedence over internal maneuvering that could potentially destabilize the party's electoral prospects.
