Buzzapp Master 
As conversations around the 2027 presidential election gather momentum, political observers are beginning to ask tough questions, one of them being whether Vice President Kashim Shettima will retain his place beside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the APC ticket.
The growing silence around Shettima’s name, especially during recent party endorsements for Tinubu, has only added fuel to these speculations.
Still, despite the rumours, there are strong signs that President Tinubu may stick with Shettima heading into the next election. Here’s why,
Loyalty and team stability
One of Shettima’s biggest strengths is his unshaken loyalty. Since assuming office, he has consistently stood behind Tinubu and echoed the administration’s goals, policies, and achievements even in difficult times.
Within the APC, this loyalty has made him a trusted figure and a stabilising force. For Tinubu, who is running a government that still faces several challenges economically and politically, there is value in maintaining a united front.
Changing running mates could signal disunity and potentially unsettle the internal structure of the APC. In politics, consistency often wins the race, and Shettima has been nothing if not consistent.
Northern support and political strength in the Northeast
Shettima’s political relevance stretches far beyond Abuja. As a former two-term governor of Borno State and current Vice President, he commands strong influence across the northeast.
His presence on the 2023 ticket helped deliver key votes from the region and could do so again in 2027.
The recent endorsement by APC stakeholders from the northeast further underlines his relevance. For Tinubu to retain his grip on northern votes especially given the delicate balance of regional expectations keeping Shettima may not just be strategic; it may be necessary.
Religious and regional balance
Let’s be honest: the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket stirred a lot of controversy. But in the end, it worked. Tinubu and Shettima secured victory despite the noise. Changing that formula now could backfire.
Several political figures, including Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, have warned Tinubu against turning his back on the north or trying to rebalance power by replacing Shettima with someone from a different religious or regional background.
Doing so could be seen as political betrayal and may cost the APC key support in the north especially among Muslims who view Shettima as their highest-ranking representative in the current government.
Baba-Ahmed put it simply: If Tinubu ditches Shettima not for performance reasons, but for optics or religious balancing, it could create more problems than it solves.
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