Why Shettima wasn’t included in Tinubu’s endorsement – APC Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu
The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has explained why his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu did not include Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Salihu addressed the controversy that followed the APC North-East Summit held in Gombe on Sunday, where some attendees raised concerns over the exclusion of Shettima in the 2027 endorsement.
Salihu clarified that his speech did, in fact, acknowledge Shettima and other key figures from the region. “In the last paragraph before the endorsement, I eulogised Kashim Shettima, recognised him as our son, and reaffirmed our support for him as North-Easterners,” he said. “I also appreciated the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and acknowledged all the ministers and heads of agencies from the region, thanking Asiwaju Tinubu for those appointments.”
He stressed that the endorsement focused solely on President Tinubu because the APC’s constitution does not provide for endorsing joint tickets at the primary level. “In party politics, only one ticket is available at the primary stage – for president, governor, or chairman. It’s after the primaries that the flag bearer selects a running mate. That decision is entirely the candidate’s constitutional prerogative,” he explained.
Salihu pointed out that other top party leaders, including Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, also endorsed Tinubu without jointly endorsing Shettima, though they praised the vice president as “our own.”
Addressing rumors of a rift between Tinubu and Shettima, Salihu dismissed them as speculation driven by political mischief. “Party administration isn’t conducted on social media or television—it’s handled internally. Every administration faces such rumors. Insecure politicians thrive on them, but those who are confident don’t give them weight.”
On concerns that Shettima’s omission could spark discontent in the region, Salihu firmly disagreed. “I’m currently in Yola and have spoken with stakeholders from Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe. We all brainstormed extensively the night before the summit. We acted within the bounds of the law by acknowledging and celebrating our son. Unlike other regions, we went the extra mile. But we don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to give—only one for president.”
He concluded by saying it would have been inappropriate to preemptively suggest a running mate before the presidential primaries, describing such a move as “putting the cart before the horse.”
