Months of political speculation have finally ended. The Tinubu Shettima 2027 ticket is now official after President Bola Tinubu retained Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the next presidential election in Abuja.
𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗝𝗔, 𝗙𝗖𝗧 — President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), bringing an end to months of intense speculation over the composition of the ruling party’s presidential ticket. The confirmation came after both leaders completed and submitted their joint nomination forms to the APC’s National Working Committee in line with the party’s nomination process. Party officials said the development reaffirmed the President’s decision to seek a second term with the same ticket that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election. The Tinubu Shettima 2027 decision is expected to shape the political landscape as parties intensify preparations for the next general election.
According to party sources, President Tinubu personally handed the vice-presidential nomination forms to Shettima before both documents were submitted for processing by the APC leadership. The submission effectively settles one of the biggest internal questions that had dominated political discussions within the ruling party in recent months. Checks by Extra News Nigeria indicate that speculation over Shettima’s future intensified following persistent reports suggesting the APC was considering changes to its presidential ticket ahead of the election. Those reports generated widespread debate among party supporters, opposition figures and political analysts, despite the absence of official confirmation from the Presidency or the party leadership at the time.
The APC had consistently dismissed reports of an impending change to its presidential ticket. In an earlier statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described claims that Shettima would be replaced as “purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.” He urged party members and supporters to ignore rumours capable of causing unnecessary distractions and instead focus on supporting the administration’s programmes and policies. The latest submission of the nomination forms has now provided the clearest confirmation yet that the party intends to retain its 2023 presidential pairing. Political observers say the move could help reduce internal uncertainty and allow the APC to concentrate on broader campaign planning ahead of the election season.
Political analysts believe the confirmation of the Tinubu Shettima 2027 ticket may influence the strategies of opposition parties, many of which are still consulting on possible alliances and candidate selections. A political analyst who spoke with Extra News Nigeria said retaining the same presidential ticket signals continuity within the ruling party and could strengthen its internal cohesion ahead of nationwide campaigns. However, the analyst noted that the APC’s electoral prospects will ultimately depend on public perception of the administration’s performance on key national issues, including the economy, security, infrastructure development and the cost of living. Across social media, reactions have remained mixed, with supporters welcoming the decision while critics argue that the election campaign will be shaped more by governance outcomes than by candidate selection alone.
Attention is now expected to shift to other registered political parties as they prepare to unveil their own presidential candidates before the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While the APC has resolved uncertainty surrounding its presidential ticket, Nigeria’s political environment is likely to become increasingly active in the coming months as campaigns gather momentum. The Tinubu Shettima 2027 confirmation also marks the beginning of a new phase in the country’s electoral cycle, with Nigerians expected to closely monitor campaign promises, policy debates and party manifestos. As preparations continue, political stakeholders will be watching for further announcements from the APC, opposition parties and INEC regarding the conduct of the 2027 general election.
Related: APC Unveils Shettima as Tinubu’s 2027 Running Mate
