National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has provided clarification on why Vice President Kashim Shettima was not included in his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Salihu explained that his decision was deliberate and in accordance with the party's constitutional provisions, not an indication of any internal friction within the ruling party.
"In party politics, we have only one ticket at the primary stage— for the executive chairman, local government chairman, governors, and president. There is no provision in our constitution that allows for the endorsement of a joint ticket at that level," Salihu stated.
He emphasized that the party's constitution only permits endorsement of presidential aspirants during the primary stage, adding, "It is only after the primaries, when a candidate emerges, that he chooses a running mate."
Constitutional Considerations
Salihu further clarified that the presidential candidate has the sole discretion to select a vice-presidential candidate after securing the party's nomination. He pointed to precedents set by governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, who had previously endorsed Tinubu without mentioning Shettima.
The APC North-East leader also dismissed rumors of a rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, describing such speculation as "inevitable in every administration."
According to Salihu, he had acknowledged and praised the Vice President in his full speech at the APC North-East summit in Gombe and declared support for him, despite the omission in the formal endorsement.
The clarification comes amid growing speculation about potential divisions within the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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