The All Progressives Congress has officially confirmed Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over the vice president’s position on the party’s ticket.
The confirmation came on Friday as the ruling party formally received the nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
The nomination forms were presented to APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari.
The event was attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, the APC National Working Committee, state party chairmen and other party stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the occasion as the formal presentation of the completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He noted that President Tinubu had earlier emerged as the APC presidential candidate through the party’s primary election and urged members to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.
Representing APC governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma expressed confidence in the party’s chances at the polls.
“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” Uzodimma said.
He called on party members to rally behind all APC candidates, expressing optimism that the ruling party would retain power in the next general election.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda said the development reflected the confidence party members have in President Tinubu’s leadership.
He cited the administration’s student loan programme, infrastructure development and agricultural initiatives as key achievements, adding that the party would campaign on its record in office.
“We will all come out and mobilise across the six geopolitical zones. I am sure there will be healthy competition among the governors,” Yilwatda said.
“One geopolitical zone has already told me they will deliver the highest number of votes for Mr President. I will be happy to see such competition among the governors as they mobilise their states.”
Also speaking after the event, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka confirmed that the party had retained the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
“The presidential candidate of the party is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our vice-presidential candidate is Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima,” Morka stated.
The submission of the nomination forms formally seals the APC’s decision to retain the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
