2027 Elections: “Drop Shettima,” Northern Ethnic Forum Gives Condition to Support Tinubu
- The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) have rejected plans for the current government to field in the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 elections
- They directed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima and made a key suggestion
- Led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, NENF, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, the group issued a crucial warning
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The forum, which represents over 200 ethnic communities in Northern Nigeria, said its position against the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s single-faith ticket has been endorsed by 127 ethnic associations.
Source: Facebook
Northern ethnic group rejects Muslim-Muslim ticket
It warned that such a move could deepen Nigeria’s religious divisions and undermine national unity, urging the president to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate and instead pick a Christian ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its president, Dr Dominic Alancha, the group argued that the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket had already strained interfaith relations and alienated large sections of the country’s Christian population.
“Over 80 percent of Northern Christians rejected the APC in 2023. Retaining the same strategy in 2027 could cost the party more states across the Middle Belt and parts of the North where Christians hold significant voting power,” the group warned.
Source: Facebook
North demands Christian as Tinubu's running mate
The forum also pointed out that even within APC ranks, several Christian stakeholders had expressed discontent with the ticket, while some defected to opposition parties.
It added that a repeat of the same strategy could strengthen opposition alliances, especially if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi form a coalition.
As reported by The Sun and Vanguard, NENF proposed that the APC should instead nominate a Northern Christian as Vice President in the next election, stressing that inclusivity was critical for healing national wounds and ensuring electoral success.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima may be competent, but his presence cannot erase the perception of exclusion. A Northern Christian from Plateau, Bauchi or Taraba would help the APC broaden its appeal without sacrificing merit,” the statement read.
The forum appealed to President Tinubu to publicly renounce the Muslim-Muslim ticket, describing it as a “historic chance to be the healer Nigeria needs.”
The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, which represents over 200 ethnic communities in Northern Nigeria, vowed to mobilize its 20-million-strong membership to push for inclusive governance as the country prepares for the 2027 polls.
Baba-Ahmed speaks on alleged Tinubu-Shettima rift
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has clarified the alleged rift in the presidency.
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as the presidential aide, responded to the question on the claim that Shettima was being systematically sidelined in the presidency.
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- 2027 election: Primate Ayodele prophesies showdown, advises Tinubu on Shettima
Why Tinubu may dump Shettima
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that PDP chieftain Dare Glintstone Akinniyi warned President Bola Tinubu against replacing VP Kashim Shettima, insisting that speculations about his strategic move cannot be dismissed.
Speaking exclusively with Legit.ng on Sunday, the PDP Youth spokesperson predicted a fresh crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
While the APC has denied Shettima's replacement plot, Akinniyi explained what President Tinubu should do ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source: Legit.ng
