ABUJA, NIGERIA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially distanced itself from viral reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is planning to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima in favor of a new running mate for the 2027 general elections.
The Party’s Official Stance
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the rumors as “purely speculative and untrue.” He emphasized that the reports did not originate from the party leadership and were likely designed to create division within the presidency.
“It was not coming from us. It was not something that we put out,” Morka stated. “We have a serving president and a serving vice president today. We had to make that clarification to ensure Nigerians are not mistaking these rumors for party policy.”
Key Reasons for the Denial
Morka highlighted three main points to debunk the claims:
- Ban on Political Activities: The APC has a current prohibition on electioneering and political campaigning to focus on governance.
- INEC Regulations: The party has not yet activated its systems for the 2027 cycle, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the official timetable.
- Governance Focus: Morka insisted that the party is currently focused on the “Renewed Hope Agenda” rather than discussing the 2027 ticket.
Origins of the Rumor
Speculation about the VP’s position intensified recently after several names were circulated in the media as potential replacements. This followed earlier reports of internal friction within the North-East APC stakeholders. However, Morka urged media organizations to stop lending their platforms to “mischievous news sources” and “rumor-peddlers.”
The APC maintains that the Tinubu-Shettima partnership remains intact and that any talk of a “successor” or “replacement” at this stage is a violation of both party rules and electoral laws.
