Tinubu May Dump Shettima for Christian Christopher Musa as 2027 Running Mate – APC Chieftain

“….Northern Christians won’t vote for Peter Obi in 2027, because there is a high chance of President Bola Tinubu replacing VP Kashim Shettima with Gen. Christopher Musa and lock down the North-Central votes”

By Emmanuel Kwada

Fresh political intrigue is gripping Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a prominent Kano-based chieftain has boldly predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could replace Vice President Kashim Shettima with retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa on the 2027 presidential ticket.

In a widely circulated video interview, APC stalwart Dan-Bilki Commander asserted that the strategic move would effectively neutralize Labour Party’s Peter Obi’s strong support among Northern Christians, particularly in the North-Central region.

“Northern Christians won’t vote for Peter Obi in 2027, because there is a high chance of President Bola Tinubu replacing VP Kashim Shettima with Gen. Christopher Musa and lock down the North-Central votes,” Commander declared.

The speculation comes against the backdrop of General Musa’s rapid political rise. The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was nominated by President Tinubu as Minister of Defence in late 2025 following the resignation of his predecessor, a move that elevated the Sokoto State-born Christian general to one of the most visible positions in the administration.

Social media has been abuzz with the claim since early December 2025, with several users and political commentators suggesting that Musa’s appointment was a deliberate stepping stone toward a broader role on the national ticket.

Posts on X (formerly Twitter) describe the proposal as a calculated effort to address lingering grievances from the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket of 2023, which alienated many Christian voters in the Middle Belt.

While no official confirmation has come from the Presidency or APC national leadership, the rumour aligns with ongoing debates about the 2027 ticket composition.

Earlier reports from mid-2025 indicated internal discussions within the party about potential adjustments to broaden electoral appeal, though Presidency spokespersons have repeatedly downplayed any intention to drop Shettima, describing him as a valuable asset with strong northern structure.

Commander’s statement has sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters view it as a pragmatic political masterstroke to consolidate votes in key swing regions amid persistent economic hardship and insecurity challenges. Critics, however, warn that dumping Shettima could fracture APC’s North-East base and reignite regional tensions.

As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, all eyes remain on Aso Rock for any signals about the direction of the presidential ticket. With General Musa now firmly in the national spotlight, the possibility of a Tinubu-Musa pairing has shifted from fringe speculation to a serious conversation dominating Nigeria’s political discourse.

Political analysts say the coming months will reveal whether this is mere wishful thinking from party foot soldiers or the beginning of a major realignment ahead of what promises to be one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested elections.