“Dropping Shettima Won’t Stop Tinubu’s 2027 Victory”: APC N’Central Forum Chair
- Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, has defended the party’s leadership choices ahead of the 2027 general elections
- He dismissed opposition concerns over Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s appointment and downplayed threats from the ANPP bloc
- Zazzaga accused certain elements of attempting to destabilise the Tinubu-Shettima alliance through sponsored agitation
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Forum in the North-Central, Saleh Zazzaga, has dismissed concerns raised by opposition figures regarding the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the APC National Chairman.
Critics have argued that Yilwatda’s previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner could compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Source: Facebook
Zazzaga, speaking with PUNCH, clarified that Yilwatda had resigned from his electoral commission post in 2022 before contesting the Plateau State governorship under the APC banner.
Although he lost the election, Zazzaga maintained that Yilwatda remains the most capable figure to lead the party to victory in 2027.
“But based on our calculations, he is the best to lead our party to victory in 2027,” Zazzaga stated. He also argued that religious politics played a significant role in Yilwatda’s previous electoral defeat, adding, “This won’t happen in 2027.”
Tinubu-Shettima alliance remains strong despite ANPP threats
Addressing recent threats from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) bloc within the APC, Zazzaga downplayed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu could lose support if Vice President Kashim Shettima is replaced. The ANPP bloc had warned of a possible defection if Tinubu fails to select a running mate from their ranks.
Zazzaga insisted that such threats would not affect the President’s chances in the next election. “There is no person or group of people that will pull out of the APC that will make President Tinubu lose the 2027 election,” he said. He further suggested that the individuals behind the press conference may not be genuine leaders of the ANPP bloc, stating, “We can’t take them seriously.”
He acknowledged that Tinubu had lost ground in the North-East during the last election, including Borno State, but argued that any decision to change the Vice President would be made in the interest of the party. “If calculation will lead to changing the VP, nothing will happen,” he added.
Claims of sponsorship behind ANPP bloc’s agitation
Zazzaga also alleged that the ANPP bloc’s recent agitation may be driven by external sponsorship aimed at sowing discord between Tinubu and Shettima. “Yes, exactly and they know their sponsors. They just want to create issues where there is none,” he said.
He urged party members and the public to await an official statement from the President regarding any potential changes to the vice presidency. “If the President will change Shettima, he will just issue a statement that will convince everybody,” Zazzaga concluded.
Reasons Tinubu may drop Shettima as his running mate
Legit.ng earlier reported that A political storm is brewing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid growing speculations over the fate of Vice President (VP) Kashim Shettima in the 2027 presidential race.
The rumour that President Bola Tinubu may consider replacing Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 election reached a boiling point mid-June.
In this report, Legit.ng looks at some of the reasons that may compel President Tinubu to drop Shettima.
Source: Legit.ng
