Vice-President Kashim Shettima held a closed-door meeting with a delegation of political heavyweights at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026, just two days before the All Progressives Congress (APC) is scheduled to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. The meeting, which took place in the Vice-President's wing, was attended by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, and former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, among others.
Delegation of the Arewa for Asiwaju Movement
The delegation identified itself as leaders of the National Directorate of Arewa for Asiwaju Movement. They arrived at the State House at approximately 4pm and proceeded to the Vice-President's wing. According to a report by Vanguard, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, was also present at the meeting.
The purpose of the visit was not immediately disclosed, though it was gathered that the engagement was a courtesy call. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of the APC's preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party's campaign machinery gearing up for a nationwide push.
Shettima's Earlier Engagement
When the delegation arrived, Shettima was still engaged in a separate meeting at the President's wing, which had begun around 2pm. That earlier session included the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, and Prof. Attahiru Jega, who serves as Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform. Jega is a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The earlier meeting focused on livestock development policy, a key area of the administration's reform agenda. The presence of both Maiha and Jega underscored the government's continued attention to the sector, which has been a priority for the Tinubu administration.
APC 2027 Campaign Timeline
The meeting comes at a critical juncture for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 presidential election. The party's Presidential Campaign Council is scheduled for inauguration on Wednesday, October 14, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The Director-General of the campaign council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, announced the dates to State House correspondents on Friday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Villa.
Yari said the campaign flag-off is planned for Kaduna State on October 24, after which the campaign train will move to Port Harcourt and Maiduguri. He added that the full campaign schedule would be made public following the council's inauguration. President Tinubu is seeking re-election in the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The meeting between Shettima and the former governors is seen as part of the broader political consultations ahead of the campaign season, as the APC seeks to consolidate support across the northern region. The presence of former governors from Kogi, Jigawa, and Plateau highlights the party's efforts to engage key stakeholders in the region.
