Rumors in politics are often described as powerful, yet unreliable, tools, however in the Nigerian political landscape, behind every rumour there usually is an iota of truth in them and it is only a matter of time before such speculations begin to unravel.
For Vice President Kashim Shettima, his future as Veep to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seems to be hazy as the media has been awash with the story that should Tinubu seek a second term in office as president, he may do so without Shettima being on the ballot. …CONTINUE READING
This discourse has fueled unnecessary tension within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and raises serious questions about political loyalty, moral responsibility, and strategic thinking in Nigerian politics.
The speculation storm surrounding Shettima’s alleged replacement have gained significant traction across various political circles. According to some narratives, some northern stakeholders have pressured President Tinubu to consider dropping the Vice President in favor of another northerner, with various names been bandied as potential replacements, these speculations reached a fever pitch when some northern youths and Islamic groups publicly called for Shettima’s replacement, arguing that the current Muslim-Muslim ticket needs recalibration for broader appeal.
The pressure become so intense when at the NorthEast APC rally in Gombe, held sometime in June this year saw the zone endorsing President Tinubu’s second term agenda without mentioning the Vice, this omission of sorts gave fuel to the speculation that certain northern elements were eying Shettimma’s job and supporters of Shettimma like Godsday Orubebe would not take it, immediately reacting to the NorthEast’s Zonal Chairman’s and the recent past National Chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje speeches with reciprocable anger, hurling insults and threats, whilst exchanging fisticuffs and further reprisals and threatening greater physical harm, prompting security officials to whisk both Salihu and Ganduje from the venue.
A dispassionate analysis of Vice President Shettima’s performance since assuming office in May 2023 reveals a man who has been nothing short of exemplary in his role. His track record speaks volumes about his dedication to both his office and his principal. From representing Nigeria at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos to delivering speeches at the United Nations General Assembly, Shettima has consistently demonstrated competence and loyalty.
His background as a former banker, successful businessman, and two-term governor of Borno State provides him and the Tinubu administration with the requisite experience to handle the complexities of the vice presidency. During his tenure as governor from 2011 to 2019, he managed one of Nigeria’s most challenging states during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, demonstrating remarkable resilience and administrative acumen. His subsequent service as a senator from 2019 to 2023 further solidified his understanding of Nigeria’s legislative processes and national politics.
Since becoming Vice President, Shettima has maintained a low profile while efficiently executing his duties, avoiding the controversies that have reportedly plagued one of his predecessors, Atiku Abubakar. He has been a team player, supporting presidential initiatives without creating unnecessary drama or seeking to overshadow his principal. This level of loyalty and competence should be valued, not discarded on the altar of political expediency.
The suggestion that President Tinubu should drop Shettima represents a fundamental breach of political ethics and moral responsibility. Political partnerships, especially at the highest levels of government, are built on trust, mutual respect, and shared vision. When two individuals campaign together and win an election, they establish a bond that transcends mere political convenience.
Shettima stood by Tinubu before the 2023 primaries during the primaries and in the course of the 2023 election campaign, when the Muslim-Muslim ticket faced intense criticism and opposition. He weathered the storm of religious and ethnic politics, defending the ticket and contributing to its eventual victory. Having benefited from Shettima’s loyalty and support during the campaign, it would be unconscionable for Tinubu to abandon him now simply because of political calculations for 2027.
Moreover, the Vice President has not committed any offense that would justify his removal. He has not been involved in any scandal, has not undermined the administration, and has not shown any disloyalty to the President. Dropping him would send a dangerous signal to other political associates that loyalty means nothing in Nigerian politics, further eroding trust in political partnerships.
The claim that Shettimma’s Borno was the only state nicked by the APC in 2023 and that for the APC to solidify itself for the 2027 polls ahead of whatever coalitions will coalesce at that time to challenge it, then the APC must pick a running mate from the NorthEast is indeed a wrong political arithmetic. First of all the zone prior to that election had four states as opposition states to APC’s two states of Borno and Yobe. Second, the zone had an Atiku Abubakar on the opposition ticket, to have expected Shettimma to carry the zone then is to have expected a miracle which doesn’t occur often in Nigerian politics.
Today the APC has three states in the NorthEast and with the incumbency factor, the APC stands a chance of doing much better than it did in 2023, even with an Atiku Abubakar on any party’s ticket.
From a purely strategic standpoint, replacing Shettima could severely damage President Tinubu’s chances of re-election in 2027. The move would likely be perceived as a betrayal by many northerners who supported the ticket in 2023, particularly those from the North-East region that Shettima represents. This could lead to a significant loss of support in a region that was crucial to the APC’s victory in the last election.
Furthermore, such a decision would likely create internal divisions within the APC, as different factions would emerge to support various potential replacements. The ensuing power struggle could weaken the party’s unity and effectiveness, providing opportunities for opposition parties to exploit. The time and energy that would be spent on managing this internal crisis could be better utilized for governance and addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.
The replacement move could also backfire in other regions of the country. Many Nigerians, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliations, value consistency and loyalty in leadership. They might view the dropping of a performing Vice President as evidence of poor judgment and untrustworthiness on the part of the President, potentially affecting his support base beyond the North.
Even the argument that Shettima should be replaced with a northern Christian to balance the ticket is a dangerous descent into religious tokenism that reduces complex political decisions to simplistic religious calculations. This approach will only prove counterproductive in Nigerian politics, often creating more problems than it solves.
One of the strongest arguments for retaining Shettima is the unity he brings to the northern region. As a respected political figure with deep roots in the North-East, his continued presence in the administration helps maintain the delicate balance of regional representation in the current government. His replacement could upset this balance and potentially alienate important stakeholders in the region.
Additionally, Shettima’s retention would demonstrate that President Tinubu values continuity and stability over political maneuvering. This would be particularly important given the various challenges facing the country, including economic reforms, security issues, and infrastructure development. A stable leadership team is crucial for implementing long-term solutions to these challenges.
The speculation about dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima represents a dangerous distraction from the serious business of governance. One also thinks that the president’s advisers should put an end to these rumors by getting President Tinubu to reaffirm his confidence in his Vice President making it clear that the 2027 ticket will remain unchanged.
The focus should be on delivering good governance, addressing the nation’s challenges, and preparing for the 2027 elections as a united team. Political loyalty, when demonstrated as exemplarily as Shettima has done, should be rewarded, not punished. The President’s legacy will be better served by honoring his political partnerships and maintaining the stability that has characterized his administration thus far.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward democratic maturity, the preservation of political loyalty and the rejection of religious tokenism will be crucial markers of progress. President Tinubu I am sure would always demonstrate statesmanship by standing by his Vice President and focusing on the issues that truly matter to the Nigerian people.
