An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and security expert, Abayomi Mumuni, has issued a stark warning that any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on religious grounds ahead of the 2027 general elections could seriously jeopardise President Bola Tinubu’s prospects of securing a second term in office.
Mumuni, who served on the intelligence and security team of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 election, made the remarks on Wednesday.
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His comments came in direct response to fresh controversies triggered by the conspicuous omission of Vice President Shettima’s photograph from a prominent banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on amendments to the APC constitution.
The incident, which has sparked outrage among party stakeholders in the region, has intensified long-standing speculations about potential plans within the ruling APC to drop Shettima from the 2027 presidential ticket.
Persistent rumours have suggested a possible shift towards a Christian vice-presidential candidate to promote religious inclusivity and balance, following criticisms of the Muslim-Muslim ticket that helped secure victory in 2023.
However, Mumuni dismissed such discussions as strategically flawed in the present political landscape. He argued that the northern region currently lacks a Christian politician possessing the necessary political clout, grassroots followership, and nationwide appeal to deliver substantial electoral support and effectively complement President Tinubu’s strengths.
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“The North presently lacks a Christian candidate with the political clout and followership needed to deliver substantial electoral support,” Mumuni stated.
He emphasised that replacing Shettima widely regarded as a unifying figure in the North-East risked alienating key voters and undermining the party’s hold on power.
The APC chieftain further cautioned that pursuing religious considerations over pragmatic political calculations could prove disastrous.
“Any miscalculation in this regard could jeopardise the winning ticket for the current administration,” he warned, urging party leaders to prioritise unity and electoral reality over divisive sentiments.
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