By Adamu Salami
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and security expert, Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has cautioned against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections on religious considerations.
Mumuni, who was a member of the intelligence and security team of the Tinubu–Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, said such a move could weaken the ruling party’s chances of retaining power.
He made this known while reacting to controversies surrounding the omission of Vice President Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution — a development that has sparked speculation about a possible plan to drop the Vice President from the party’s 2027 ticket.
According to Mumuni, replacing Shettima with a Christian vice-presidential candidate in the name of religious balance is not politically strategic at this time, noting that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with the political strength and grassroots support needed to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s electoral appeal.
He warned that any miscalculation could jeopardise the party’s winning chances in 2027, stressing that electoral realities, not sentiment, must guide such critical decisions.
Mumuni described Vice President Shettima as a loyal and dependable partner whose commitment to President Tinubu’s vision has contributed to stability in governance.
He added that changing a vice president who has demonstrated consistency and alignment with government policies could introduce unnecessary uncertainty.
While acknowledging calls for increased Christian representation in leadership, the APC stalwart urged party leaders to pursue alternative means of promoting inclusivity through strategic appointments rather than altering the presidential ticket.
He further cautioned against comparing Nigeria’s political situation with foreign political models, insisting that Nigeria’s unique socio-political environment requires home-grown solutions.
Mumuni identified possible risks of replacing the Vice President to include political instability, internal party divisions, negative public perception and loss of electoral advantage.
He concluded that maintaining the Tinubu–Shettima alliance remains the best option for the APC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, urging party stakeholders to prioritise unity, cohesion and good governance.
