Tinubu Retains Shettima as Running Mate for 2027 Election

A decisive move in Nigeria’s 2027 election landscape unfolded on Friday as President Bola Tinubu formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate, ending months of speculation and political calculations over the future of the ruling party’s presidential ticket.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the All Progressives Congress presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the submission effectively shut down rumours that the President might replace his deputy with a northern Christian to broaden the party’s electoral appeal.

INEC confirmed receiving presidential and vice‑presidential nominations from several parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party.

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Meanwhile, other political parties continued uploading their candidates ahead of the commission’s Saturday midnight deadline, ValidViewNetwork reports.

The electoral commission had earlier fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to upload nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online portal, in line with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The submission exercise covers Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E for presidential, vice‑presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates.

According to INEC’s timetable, political parties will begin uploading governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from July 18, with the exercise ending on August 8. INEC is scheduled to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while those of governorship and state assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29 to allow public scrutiny.

The commission also fixed August 22 as the deadline for withdrawal and substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until September 19 to make changes in line with the Electoral Act.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the July 11 deadline marks a critical stage in the build‑up to the 2027 general elections, as only candidates validly nominated through primaries monitored by INEC are eligible for submission. The commission has repeatedly warned parties against submitting names of candidates who did not emerge from duly monitored primaries.

Against this backdrop, the APC used Friday’s ceremony to publicly affirm its presidential ticket, signalling that it would head into the 2027 contest without altering the Muslim‑Muslim pairing that secured victory in 2023. Political discussions had intensified over whether Tinubu would retain Shettima or opt for another running mate to address concerns over religious balancing, but Friday’s submission ended the uncertainty.

The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, APC National Working Committee, state chairmen and APC governorship candidates.

Earlier, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the duly completed nomination forms. He noted that Tinubu had secured the party’s presidential ticket through what he called a transparent primary election and urged party members to remain united ahead of the polls.

Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed their support for Tinubu and the party leadership. “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,” he said.

Uzodimma added that the APC remained committed to internal democracy and inclusiveness, pledging continued mobilisation for the President across the country.

Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described the event as a reflection of the confidence reposed in Tinubu by millions of party members. He stated, “Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of the APC who overwhelmingly voted for Mr. President as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.”

He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including extensive road networks across all six geopolitical zones, saying communities previously disconnected now have access to new concrete roads. He urged governors and party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign on what he described as the administration’s achievements.

Yilwatda continued, “Nigerians and our party members will overwhelmingly vote for him come January and give him a second term to continue the excellent work he has done in his first term. We must go out there with facts. Let us tell our success stories.”

He also challenged governors to compete in delivering the highest number of votes for the President in 2027, saying one geopolitical zone had already pledged to deliver the largest bloc of votes.

In a political season defined by strategic calculations and shifting alliances, the APC’s formal submission of Tinubu and Shettima’s nomination marks a pivotal moment in the race toward 2027.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the ruling party’s decision to retain its 2023 ticket underscores its confidence in continuity, signalling a campaign built on consolidation, party unity and the projection of governance achievements as Nigeria moves closer to a fiercely contested election cycle.