Why Shettima Was Left Out of Tinubu Endorsement — APC Explains

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified the reason Vice President Kashim Shettima was not included in the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term. According to Mustapha Salihu, APC’s National Vice Chairman for the North East, the decision was intentional to avoid prematurely assuming that Shettima would be Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 election.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Salihu explained that including the Vice President in the endorsement would have sent the wrong political signal. “It would have been inappropriate to endorse the Vice President along with the President because it would pre-assume that he is the running mate,” he said.

The development followed a North-East APC stakeholders meeting held on Sunday in Gombe, where the region publicly backed President Tinubu for re-election. However, Shettima’s name was notably absent from the resolution, prompting questions and speculation about his political trajectory.

The move comes as political analysts and party observers continue to monitor shifting alliances and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.