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GOMBE, Nigeria - Although the 2027 elections are still two years away, an alleged scheme to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu's running mate has caused divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A gathering of APC North-East stakeholders in Gombe State on Sunday escalated into violence when supporters of the Vice President confronted the party's Zonal Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu.
In a viral video, an enraged member struck Salihu with a chair while another delegate hurled a black plastic bucket at him.
7The meeting, meant to show support for President Tinubu's re-election bid, devolved into chaos as some party leaders failed to recognize Shettima in the proposed joint ticket for 2027.
Tensions escalated after Salihu concluded his speech without mentioning Shettima. He expressed the need for party unity, urging the zonal executive committee to endorse Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 elections.
This omission led to a vocal backlash from delegates chanting "Shettima! Shettima!! Shettima!!!" and physically confronting Salihu. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as chairs were flung across the room, prompting security to step in.
Attempts by Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to calm the situation were unsuccessful. A delegate from Borno expressed outrage, calling it an insult not to mention "our own son," Shettima.
Before the turmoil, the governors of three APC-controlled states in the North-East—Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and host Governor Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe)—had reaffirmed their support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. Yahaya emphasized that the North-East stands firmly behind the President and Vice President.
However, tensions heightened further when APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, also refrained from specifically confirming Shettima’s role in his closing remarks. His comments, promoting unity, did little to quell the anger of delegates, leading them to chant “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East,” with some threatening to endorse former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party if Shettima is removed from the ticket.
The meeting came to an abrupt end as dignitaries, including current and former governors, ministers, and lawmakers, left amidst the turmoil. Outside, police resorted to using teargas to control the growing unrest.
An observer, James Abass, indicated that this incident might reveal deeper rifts within the APC ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections, especially in the North-East, where Shettima enjoys considerable grassroots support.
He stated, “This is more than just a misunderstanding. It’s a sign of serious internal divisions within the ruling party that could trigger mass defections or a counter-movement if not urgently addressed.”
A source provided insights about the zonal meeting, mentioning that the Governor of Gombe was not supportive of the joint ticket but was reluctant to voice opposition as the host.
However, Hon. Usman Kumo, Chief Whip of the House from Gombe State, and Senator M.T. Monguno, Chief Whip of the Senate from Borno North, both endorsed the joint ticket on behalf of their respective factions.
Meanwhile, only Comrade Mustapha Salihu spoke against the ticket, with other NWC members from the North-East supporting it.
In response to allegations of a potential sidelining of the Vice President, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman (South-East), downplayed such speculations as distractions, affirming a strong working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, who is considered a valuable asset in this administration.
