2027: Tinubu ends speculations on running mate as APC boasts of landslide victory

By Ayorinde Oluokun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ended all speculations about his running mate for the 2027 election on Friday with the submission of his nomination forms to the Chairman of the ruling All progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at a colourful ceremony held at the Ladi Kwaki International Conference Centre of Continental Hotel, Abuja.

The President retained the incumbent vice president Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, as revealed in the duly completed nomination forms submitted on his behalf by Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, his Special Adviser on Political Matters.

Masari submitted the duly completed forms for Tinubu and Shettima to Yilwatda for uploading to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

The colourful ceremony was witnessed by chieftains of APC, including members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, representatives from the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and state party chairmen.

Aside the governors, members of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were also present at the event.

“The presidential candidate of the party is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our Vice Presidential candidate is Senator Kashim Shetima,” APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka categorially confirmed to journalists at the event.

The APC heavyweights also used the occasion to assure that President Tinubu will be returned to office with overwhelming votes in 2027 on the back of 12 million registered members of the party and the visible milestones of the current administration.

Speaking while party chieftains to the event, APC National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu described it as the natural climax of a highly transparent internal process.

He noted that the presidential flag bearer emerged through a thoroughly transparent primary process.

Argungu also hailed President Tinubu over his “positive strides” while urging party faithful to remain united, prayerful, and steadfast.

Also speaking at the event, PGF Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma said the transparent nature of the primaries had made marketing the candidates seamless.

“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” the Imo State Governor said.

“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” Uzodimma added.

Speaking after receiving the forms, Yilwatda stated that the revalidation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket represents the authentic heartbeat of the party’s grassroots.

“Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature,” Yilwatda remarked. “We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him.”

The APC Chairman listed key initiatives that have demonstrated commitment of President Tinubu to Nigeria’s development to include the student loan scheme, which he said has already benefited over 1.5 million students targeted agricultural interventions and nationwide infrastructure projects as verifiable proof of performance.

The APC Chairman therefore urged party members to return to their local communities armed with facts rather than rhetoric to dismantle opposition narratives.

“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones,” Yilwatda stated.

He emphasised that the APC has an advantage over its rivals as the only political platform in the country with a fully digitalised and verified membership database.

“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes,” Yilwatda said.

“Go and tell the leader of our party (President Tinubu) that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing. As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all come 2027, our victory is assured,” Yiltwada told Masari