Amid growing speculation of a rift between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Ismaeel Ahmed has firmly dismissed reports suggesting any plan to replace the Vice President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the former APC Board of Trustees member described the claims as “malicious rumours,” insisting there is no evidence of discontent between the nation’s two top leaders.
“It’s not true. I know it very well. There’s trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Ahmed said. “There is no discussion about substituting the Vice President. These are just rumours from people who either misunderstand or don’t know how the presidency operates.”
Ahmed urged Nigerians and party members to focus on governance, noting that the administration is just halfway through its mandate.
“We’ve used up two years, one year to the primaries, and two to the general elections. For God’s sake, let’s focus on governing,” he said. “The APC is a party in government. We need to follow INEC’s timeline and not get distracted.”
North-East summit controversy
Ahmed’s comments followed a controversial endorsement at Sunday’s APC North-East summit in Gombe, where the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, declared support for Tinubu’s re-election bid—without mentioning Vice President Shettima.
Clarifying the incident, Ahmed downplayed its significance, saying it was in line with APC tradition.
“In the APC, a sitting president is not challenged. It’s assumed he’ll get the second-term ticket if he wants it,” he said. “That endorsement was melodramatic. Tinubu doesn’t need it—he’s already the party’s presumptive candidate.”
He criticized what he described as “orchestrated sycophancy,” adding, “There shouldn’t be any more endorsements at this point.”
‘Tinubu isn’t afraid of competition’
Ahmed also pushed back against suggestions that the APC is worried about opposition figures.
“APC is not scared of any opposition. The President and Vice President should be out engaging with the people. That’s what matters now,” he said.
He cautioned the party against treating political opponents as imminent threats.
“Why are we running when no one is chasing us? The President encourages competition and isn’t afraid of it,” he added. “There’ll be time to rally the base. Now is not the time for campaigning—it’s time for leadership and results.”
Salihu denies Shettima marginalisation
Responding separately on Monday, Salihu also denied suggestions of internal friction, describing such narratives as the work of “conflict entrepreneurs.”
“These rumours are common in every administration. People will always try to create a wedge between the President and Vice President,” he said. “Anybody saying there’s discontent in the North-East is simply wrong.”
He defended the Gombe summit endorsement, saying it was lawful and appropriate: “We did what was within our rights—endorsing and praising our son, the President. We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer, and it would have been inappropriate to suggest a running mate at this stage.”
Salihu added that real party matters aren’t handled on social media or in the press but internally, where the party remains united.
