…Ex-Governors, NSA, Serving Governors Touted as Possible Replacements

Despite mounting political maneuverings by some factions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to have Vice President Kashim Shettima replaced ahead of the 2027 presidential election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears firmly committed to retaining his deputy on the ticket.

Amid speculation, at least six prominent northern APC figures have been mentioned as potential replacements. These include former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara.

Sources close to the party suggest the names were floated based on various considerations, ranging from political loyalty and performance to religious balancing. Dogara, a Christian from the North, is reportedly being promoted as a more strategic running mate to appeal to Christian voters and dispel the perception of a religiously skewed Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Others, like NSA Ribadu, are believed to be seen as long-term northern presidential hopefuls who could gain experience and national visibility as Vice President. Yari’s inclusion, some party insiders claim, is based on his staunch defense of President Tinubu and perceived closeness to the presidency.

However, highly placed sources within the presidency have dismissed the rumours of a possible switch, describing them as unfounded. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, at the weekend, debunked any notion of discord between the President and his Vice, insisting there has been no friction since their joint assumption of office over two years ago.

“Talks of replacing the Vice President are mere speculations,” said a top Presidency source. “There is nothing to suggest that President Tinubu is considering dropping Shettima in 2027. The Vice President remains a critical political asset.”

According to the source, Shettima commands a formidable political structure in the North, particularly in Borno State, where he has never lost an election, from his days as Governor to his tenure as Senator. “He has proven loyalty, competence, and political depth,” the source added. “He was among the first northern politicians to openly support Tinubu during the APC primaries and played a strategic role as Director General of the campaign.”

Shettima’s loyalty is said to be one of the key reasons Tinubu will not risk altering the winning formula. Political observers also recall how Shettima stood by Tinubu during a crucial period in the 2022 APC primaries, at a time when other political heavyweights were reportedly trying to frustrate his ambition.

“Shettima didn’t just support Tinubu; he was the bedrock of the northern strategy. He brought the votes, the machinery, and the narrative that helped seal the victory,” said the source.

Additionally, the personal relationship between the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Vice President’s wife, Hajia Nana Shettima, is said to be another binding factor. Hajia Shettima is an active partner in the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), often appearing at events and occasionally standing in for the First Lady at major functions.

“The First Lady and the Vice President’s wife have become inseparable allies,” one source revealed. “Their partnership has added a human face to the administration and bolstered its acceptability in several regions.”

Political analysts suggest that this alliance between the Tinubu and Shettima families, beyond politics, has also contributed to the administration’s grassroots support and perception management across faith and ethnic divides.

While some political actors continue to push their preferred candidates for the Vice Presidential slot in 2027, the prevailing sentiment within the Presidency is that Kashim Shettima remains Tinubu’s trusted partner and a calculated political asset Tinubu will not easily trade.