APC Now Has Full Grip On The North After Tinubu Retained Shettima — Kwankwaso

A Kano-based chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, describing the decision as a major political boost that has strengthened the party’s hold on Northern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, who is the Executive Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), made the remarks in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Kano.

He said the President’s decision had inspired confidence across the region and positioned the APC strongly ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, the choice of Shettima has given the ruling party “full control of the North”, adding that the region is prepared to support the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for a second term.

“The President’s decision is the most delightful gesture to the people of Northern Nigeria. Every person in Northern Nigeria is ready to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027,” he said.

Kwankwaso argued that the move had dealt a significant setback to opposition parties and critics of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He described Shettima as a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s political success in the North, praising the Vice President for promoting unity across the region.

“This is despite the machinations of some disgruntled elements who wanted to use a few frictions to cause disaffection among the people of our dear North,” he said.

The APC stalwart also commended Shettima’s contributions to governance, saying he had worked diligently to foster national unity and had represented President Tinubu effectively on the international stage.

“We have also seen how Kashim Shettima has been up and doing in helping the government maintain a united North and, indeed, the whole of Nigeria. We have also seen how he has been competently representing the President on the world stage,” he added.

President Tinubu recently formally unveiled Vice President Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election after submitting his nomination forms to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.

The nomination forms were presented by the President’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, during a brief ceremony attended by APC leaders at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.