In a dramatic twist that could shake the foundation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), political leaders and stakeholders from Nigeria’s North-East have erupted in protest following the controversial endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term — with Vice President Kashim Shettima conspicuously sidelined.
The shocking development unfolded during the APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting held in Gombe on Saturday, June 15, 2025. As the political elite gathered to rally support for 2027, the event took an unexpected turn when party chieftains, led by APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) Mustapha Salihu, announced their endorsement of Tinubu — without a single mention of Shettima.
The omission ignited instant outrage among delegates. Chants of protest filled the hall, tempers flared, and what should have been a routine endorsement escalated into near-physical confrontation. Salihu had to be escorted out of the venue by security operatives amid the chaos.
When APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje mounted the podium, he too dodged the Shettima question — fueling speculation that the exclusion was deliberate. This further infuriated party loyalists from Borno and other parts of the North-East, many of whom view Shettima as a pillar of the region’s political identity.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, a key Shettima ally, reportedly led the protest, demanding that the Vice President be accorded the respect and recognition due to his office.
The tension only slightly de-escalated after Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori finally acknowledged both Tinubu and Shettima in a late attempt to calm nerves. But the damage had already been done.
A Brewing Political Storm
Observers say the incident is more than just a protocol gaffe — it could be the early signs of a political earthquake. Public affairs analyst Akuduzzaman Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar warned that the apparent sidelining of Shettima might deepen internal divisions in the APC, particularly in the North, where regional representation is fiercely protected.
“The message it sends is dangerous. If the Vice President can be so casually excluded, it means there’s more at play behind the scenes,” he noted.
What This Means for APC and 2027
With the 2027 elections looming, the APC now finds itself grappling with internal dissent in one of its strongest geopolitical zones. The North-East played a crucial role in delivering victory in 2023, largely due to Shettima’s influence and strong grassroots mobilization.
The question many are now asking is simple but explosive: Is Tinubu planning to dump Shettima in 2027? And if so, can the APC survive the fallout?
For a party that prides itself on unity and national spread, Saturday’s drama in Gombe may be the first public crack in a façade that’s been under pressure since the 2023 elections.
