APC retains Muslim-Muslim ticket, presents Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced its intention to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections, ensuring that the party maintains its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

This decision was made public last Friday at an unveiling ceremony held by the party in Abuja, following several speculations about President Tinubu choosing another person in place of Shettima in order to solve his religious dilemma.

Several individuals speculated to be the replacement for Shettima were Yakubu Dogara, who is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and George Akume, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking at the event, the APC’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, spoke to party members, while the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the confirmation to the press that Shettima remains the vice-presidential candidate of the APC.

This revelation comes just a few hours to when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will shut down its portal for filing the names of presidential and National Assembly aspirants. INEC has fixed Saturday, July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to file the names of their nominated aspirants.

The launch ceremony was graced by many APC Governors, which included Hope Uzodimma (Imo State), Uba Sani (Kaduna State), Babagana Zulum (Borno State), and the governors of Jigawa and Kebbi states.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, also graced the ceremony together with other party stakeholders.