This Is A Grievous Mistake – APC Chieftain Kicks Against Retention of Shettima as Tinubu’s 2027 Running Mate

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised the decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, warning that the move could hurt the party’s electoral prospects.

Naijapunchnews reports that Vatsa expressed his concerns in a statement issued in Minna on Saturday, arguing that the circumstances that led the APC to adopt a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 general election no longer exist.

The former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism described the decision as politically insensitive, maintaining that it could alienate Christian voters across the country.

According to him, retaining the same-faith presidential ticket amounts to “a direct insult” to the Christian community and could make it difficult for the ruling party to secure widespread support in the next election.

“I think this is a grievous mistake by the APC. It is highly insensitive,” Vatsa said.

He further alleged that those who advised the President to retain the current ticket did not act in the best interest of either Tinubu or the APC.

“Those behind this decision did not mean well for the President or the party,” he stated.

‘2023 Circumstances No Longer Exist’

Vatsa argued that the political realities that influenced the APC’s decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 have changed significantly.

He maintained that prevailing concerns about the safety and inclusion of Christians make it inappropriate for the party to repeat the same arrangement in 2027.

“With the current situation in the country and the concerns over the safety of Christians, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” he said.

According to him, the APC would face an uphill task convincing Christians to support another same-faith ticket, particularly if rival political parties nominate Christian vice-presidential candidates.

“What do you expect us to tell the Christian community, to vote for another Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he asked.

Calls for Greater Religious Balance

Vatsa, who recently urged Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to choose a Christian running mate ahead of the 2027 governorship election, said many Christians already feel politically marginalised and would be more comfortable with a Christian vice-presidential candidate.

He warned that repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket could have what he described as “grievous consequences” for the APC’s chances at the polls.

Despite his criticism, Vatsa stressed that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to Vice President Shettima or the Muslim community.

According to him, his comments were motivated by a desire to promote fairness, equity, and religious balance in Nigeria’s political leadership.

“I have nothing against the Vice President or the Muslim community. I am speaking for equity, justice and fairness in the political arrangement of the country,” he added.