“No Shettima, No APC”: 2027 Power Struggle Sparks Chaos in North-East Meeting

GOMBE — With the 2027 general election still two years away, a suspected plot to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on President Bola Tinubu’s ticket has ignited internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), culminating in a violent outburst during a party stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe on Sunday.

The North-East zonal meeting, initially convened to rally support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, descended into chaos when party leaders failed to reaffirm Shettima’s place on the 2027 ticket — sparking outrage among his supporters.

A viral video from the event captured the moment the APC’s Zonal Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, was physically attacked, with an angry delegate striking him with a chair and another hurling a black plastic bucket at him. Salihu fled the stage as chants of “Shettima! Shettima!!” erupted from furious delegates.

Tensions flared when Salihu, during his speech, endorsed Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 but made no mention of the Vice President. His omission was interpreted as a deliberate slight, especially in Shettima’s home zone.

“This is a calculated attempt to sideline Shettima, and we will resist it with everything we have,” fumed one enraged Borno delegate.

Despite calls for calm from Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, the unrest worsened, forcing security personnel to intervene as chairs were flung and dignitaries exited hurriedly. Police were later forced to fire teargas outside the venue to disperse the angry crowd.

Before the chaos, governors of APC-controlled states in the North-East — Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe) — had voiced their endorsement of the Tinubu-Shettima joint ticket.

But a critical moment came when APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, while attempting to calm tensions, still avoided a clear commitment to Shettima. “We are proud of the North, proud of our Vice President,” Ganduje said, “It is one ticket, according to the Constitution.” His remarks, however, failed to pacify the aggrieved crowd.

In the aftermath, threats of defection surfaced. “If Shettima is dropped, I will personally lead my people to vote for Atiku,” warned an APC chieftain from Adamawa.

Observers say the uproar may signal deeper cracks in the ruling party, particularly in the North-East where Shettima commands strong loyalty. “This isn’t just noise — it’s a warning shot,” said eyewitness James Abass. “If the APC doesn’t resolve this quickly, defections or a serious counter-movement are very likely.”

Notably, while some figures remained neutral, others from the region firmly endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. These included Hon. Usman Kumo (House of Reps Chief Whip), Senator M.T. Monguno (Senate Chief Whip), and several National Working Committee members from the North-East.

Meanwhile, APC’s South-East Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, dismissed the rumours as political distraction: “There’s a strong, respectful relationship between Tinubu and Shettima. These rumours are mere noise.”

Still, with emotions raw and divisions exposed, Sunday’s incident has thrown open a new chapter in the internal power games of the APC — and raised the stakes for 2027.

2027 Realignment? Tinubu Meets PDP Heavyweights as Political Tides Begin to Shift

ABUJA — In a move stirring speculation of early political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday evening hosted prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

The closed-door meeting was spearheaded by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike — a key political figure and former governor of Rivers State — and attended by his close allies, including notable former members of the defunct G5 Governors bloc. This faction famously broke ranks with the PDP during the 2023 election cycle.

Wike and the G5 — which included then-governors of Benue, Abia, Enugu, Oyo, and Rivers States — openly opposed PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and instead threw their weight behind Tinubu, then flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since the election, Wike, still a card-carrying PDP member, was appointed Minister of FCT — a move that raised eyebrows and hinted at deeper political crosscurrents.

Saturday’s meeting included former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, as well as ex-governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), all known Wike allies.

Though details of the discussions remain under wraps, insider sources suggest the talks focused on forging future political collaborations and possibly integrating the former governors more formally into the current power structure.

With shifting alliances and strategic dialogue already underway, the race to 2027 may have unofficially begun.

GOV AIYEDATIWA NOMINATES 12 COMMISSIONERS

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly a list of 12 nominees for the position of Commissioner in the State Executive Council for confirmation.

A letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, on Thursday, read:

REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF COMMISSIONER NOMINEES

In exercise of the power conferred on me by Section 192 (1&2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I wish to forward to your esteemed office the following Commissioner nominees for your kind consideration and confirmation of the House of Assembly.

1. Professor Igbekele Ajibefun

2. Engr Aycrinde Abiola Olawoye

3. Hon. Ayodele Akande

4. Engr Alabi Johnson

5. Alhaji Amidu Takuro

6. Otunba Adewale Akinlosotu

7. Mr. Idowu Ajanaku

8. Dr Oluwaseun Abosede Osamaye

9. Dr Tob Loko

10. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire

11. Hon. Sunday Olajide

12. Mr. Omoyofunmi Segun Henry

I shall be most obliged to the Honourable House for your expeditious action on this request in the overall interest of our dear State.

Please accept, as always, my highest regards for your esteemed self and other distinguished Members of the House.”

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
June 12, 2025.