Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has issued a strong appeal to political leaders, aspirants, and supporters within the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to avoid destructive political conduct as early manoeuvrings ahead of the 2027 general elections gather pace.
In a statement released on Wednesday and titled “2027: Don’t Pull Down the Roof”, Shettima cautioned party stakeholders against allowing internal ambitions to undermine unity. He likened the APC to a family home that must be preserved rather than damaged by internal rivalries.
According to the Vice President, the political season has once again brought with it what he described as the “familiar fever of democracy”, with consultations already underway across wards, local government areas, party offices, and even private residences. He noted that aspirants are actively reaching out to party elders, while supporters are mobilising and counting potential delegates in preparation for the contest ahead.
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“The political season is here again. We don’t have to pull down the roof. We all should desist from destructive politics,” Shettima said. “Aspirants are making calls, elders are receiving visits, supporters are counting delegates, and the marketplace of ambition is alive once more.”
He emphasised that such activities are a healthy sign of democratic vitality, underscoring that power in Nigeria remains something to be “negotiated, contested, persuaded, and earned”. However, he warned that the same political season also carries inherent risks that could destabilise the party if not carefully managed.
Among these dangers, Shettima highlighted the tendency for political actors to misinterpret disagreement as betrayal, competition as hostility, and personal preference as deliberate exclusion. He also cautioned against placing undue reliance on media narratives, which he suggested may not always reflect the full reality of political developments.
The Vice President’s remarks come at a time when subtle alignments and strategic positioning are already becoming evident within the APC, despite the elections still being over a year away. His call is widely seen as an attempt to pre-empt internal divisions that have historically weakened political parties in Nigeria.
Observers note that maintaining cohesion within the ruling party will be critical as it prepares to retain power in 2027. Shettima’s intervention signals a desire within the party leadership to promote discipline, unity, and constructive engagement, rather than allowing ambition to devolve into factional conflict.
As consultations continue, his message serves as a reminder that while political competition is inevitable, preserving party stability remains paramount.
