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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly exploring a new running mate for the 2027 elections, but the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied rumors of a breach between Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

According to reports, party faithful and important stakeholders have started rallying support for Tinubu’s possible second term even though he hasn’t formally declared his intention to run for reelection. However, party leaders have characterized recent allegations indicating disagreement between Tinubu and Shettima as false.

The APC’s National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, denied the reports, calling them “beer-parlour discussions” with no solid foundation.

“This is pure speculation without foundation. These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously,” Ibrahim said.

He went on to say that even if the president were to think about removing the vice president, it would not be a unilateral choice but rather the result of lengthy discussions with important parties.

In the meantime, political players from the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria have reiterated their calls for the 2027 presidential or vice presidential election.

Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara state leaders, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, called on major political parties to think about zoning their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to the area during a press conference in Abuja.

The stakeholders contended in a statement following the meeting that the North Central should be given the vice presidential position if the APC gives Tinubu the “right of first refusal” for the presidential ticket.

With other regional leaders by his side, Prof. K’tso underlined that the region has been marginalized since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 and has never produced a president or vice president chosen by popular vote.

“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic,” he said.

He pointed out that the South East, which at least produced Dr. Alex Ekwueme as vice president from 1979 to 1983, had a worse situation than the North Central.

“This is about fairness. We want to be recognized not as mere political adjuncts but as full stakeholders in the ‘One North’ project,” K’tso stated.

However, the APC has rebuffed the North Central’s demand, branding it as unreasonable and premature.

Alhaji Bala Ibrahim responded to the calls by calling them “dead on arrival” and claiming that the area’s electoral contribution was insignificant in comparison to other regions, such as the North West.

“The North Central should not see the presidency or vice presidency as a right, especially given its relatively lower electoral contribution compared to zones like the North West. They have made similar demands in the past, but these are often irrational and only serve to create unnecessary political tension,” Ibrahim revealed.

He added that while President Tinubu is still in office for his first term, zoning debates shouldn’t take place.

“The current occupant of the presidency must be given the chance to serve two terms. Conversations about zoning should only happen after that,” he emphasized.

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