The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted reports suggesting plans to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the reports were speculative and lacked any basis in fact, warning that they were capable of creating unnecessary tension within the polity.
Morka noted that the party was not engaged in discussions regarding the 2027 elections, stressing that political activities remain restricted in line with existing laws and electoral guidelines.
He cautioned media organisations and the public against giving credence to what he described as deliberate attempts by rumour-mongers to sow discord within the ruling party.
According to the APC spokesman, the party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is aimed at economic reform, national development and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“The APC is fully committed to the success of the Tinubu-Shettima administration and urges all party leaders, ministers and public office holders to avoid actions or statements that may fuel needless speculation,” Morka said.
Meanwhile, a senior party chieftain, Senator Yerima, also dismissed the reports, describing those pushing the narrative as politically short-sighted.
He warned that any attempt to tamper with the Tinubu-Shettima ticket could be detrimental to the party’s electoral prospects, recalling that similar doubts were expressed ahead of the 2023 elections.
Yerima added that calls for changes to the ticket ignored existing political realities, noting that various regions, including the North-Central, were already well represented in the current administration.
The reactions follow recent concerns raised by some party stakeholders over perceived exclusions at political events, which observers say may have fueled the speculation.
