A major crack has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North-East following a controversial endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election—without any mention of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The drama unfolded on Sunday at a high-profile APC stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State, attended by governors, ministers, lawmakers, and key party figures from the region.
The party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, stirred controversy when he declared Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for 2027 but made no reference to Shettima, who hails from Borno State in the North-East.
His remarks triggered angry reactions from delegates, some of whom shouted him down and threatened violence. Security agents were forced to remove Salihu from the venue.
The tension escalated further when APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, also endorsed Tinubu in his speech without acknowledging the Vice President. His omission deepened the uproar, and he too had to be escorted out under tight security.
In an attempt to douse the tension, Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, addressed the crowd and expressed support for both Tinubu and Shettima to continue in office beyond 2027.
Despite these efforts, the meeting ended in chaos. Video footage circulating online showed delegates arguing and walking out, as the failure to recognize Shettima continued to provoke anger among party loyalists.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over internal unity in the APC’s North-East zone and just days after a party chieftain in Taraba State, Daniel Musa, condemned Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe for scheduling the sensitive meeting on a Sunday morning, a traditional time of Christian worship.
The unfolding developments signal growing unease over power dynamics in the region, and may test the strength of the Tinubu-Shettima alliance heading into the 2027 elections.