The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum kicked against the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027 without including Vice President Kashim Shettima by some of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the National Vice Chairman (North-East), endorsed President Tinubu for a second term without acknowledging Shettima. This development happened at a North-East stakeholders meeting in Gombe on Sunday, where the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and Salihu had to be escorted in the presence of heavy security out of the event as delegates protested over their failure to endorse Shettima.
In his address, Salihu said, “We have no business not supporting this party with all the juicy appointments and responsibilities given to us by this government. “I would want all members of the zonal executive committee to stand up so that we will do the proper endorsement, because it is the zonal executive committee that holds the ticket.
“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the national working committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election.” Some annoyed delegates began chanting “Shettima! Shettima!!”, following Salihu’s failure to acknowledge the Vice President which also resulted in a physical confrontation.
The confrontation turned violent with some individuals throwing chairs and efforts to douse the tension by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, failed. The meeting was attended by high-ranking members of the APC such as the host Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, the governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, amongst others.
According to reports, the host governor, Muhammadu Yahaya also failed to openly endorse Shettima and Tinubu during his speech. Despite this development, some party members noted that Shettima would still be the running mate for President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
More details later.
