“…No Shettima On APC Ticket For 2027 Presidential Election, No Guaranteed Victory For APC”
By Emmanuel Kwada
Dr. Umar D. Duhu, a prominent political analyst and commentator, has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) against replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso or any one else as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
In a strongly worded statement, Duhu described the rumored move as “recklessly misguided” and a potential “political hari-kari” that could jeopardize the party’s chances of securing victory in 2027 presidential election.
Speculation about President Tinubu considering Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as a running mate has sparked intense debate within political circles.
The idea that Kwankwaso’s inclusion would guarantee a sweep of the North is a gross miscalculation
Proponents argue that Kwankwaso’s strong following in Kano and parts of Northern Nigeria could bolster APC’s electoral prospects in the region. However, Duhu dismissed this notion as a “naive assumption” that oversimplifies the complex dynamics of Northern politics.
“The idea that Kwankwaso’s inclusion would guarantee a sweep of the North is a gross miscalculation,” Duhu stated. “The region’s politics are shaped by intricate socio-economic, ethnic, and religious factors. To assume the North is a monolithic bloc swayed by one individual is intellectually dishonest and politically perilous.”
Duhu emphasized that the APC’s success in the 2023 election was driven by the party’s internal cohesion and the popularity of its candidates, particularly Vice President Shettima.
He argued that replacing Shettima, a loyal party stalwart, would betray the trust of supporters and risk creating fresh divisions within the already fragile ruling party. “Such a move could lead to widespread discontent and even defections, fracturing the APC’s delicate internal dynamics,” he warned.
The party’s wisest course is to consolidate its unity and continuity, not to court opposition figures in a futile attempt to gain an edge
The analyst further criticized the proposal as a “desperate quest for electoral triumph” that ignores the APC’s existing strengths. “The party’s wisest course is to consolidate its unity and continuity, not to court opposition figures in a futile attempt to gain an edge,” Duhu said.
He urged the APC to focus on harnessing the collective loyalty of its members rather than banking on the “ephemeral allure” of defectors.
Duhu’s remarks have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the APC’s strategy for 2027. Political observers note that Shettima’s role as Vice President has been pivotal in maintaining the party’s influence in the Northeast, a key region for its electoral success.
Such a move could lead to widespread discontent and even defections, fracturing the APC’s delicate internal dynamics
Any decision to replace him could have far-reaching consequences for the party’s cohesion and voter base.
As the 2027 election draws closer, the APC faces mounting pressure to navigate its internal dynamics carefully. For now, Duhu’s warning serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in any decision to alter the party’s winning formula.
“No Shettima on the APC ticket, no guaranteed victory,” he concluded.
