The North East Youth Parliament of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has said that replacing Kashim Shettima as vice president would bring division to the party in 2027.
The leader of the group, Kabiru Garba Kobi, said this during a press conference in Bauchi.
The group accused some “mischievous elements and vested interest groups” of sowing division within the APC by promoting conspiracy theories aimed at removing Vice President Kashim Shettima from the 2027 ticket.
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Kobi warned that these moves could signal deeper internal fractures capable of undermining the party’s stability and prospects.
“We have observed with deep concern the dangerous trajectory in which some individuals are attempting to push our party.
“These orchestrated conspiracies, designed to discredit and substitute Vice President Shettima, serve as early warnings of a potentially larger crisis that could shake the very foundation of our great party ahead of the 2027 elections,” Kobi stated.
He emphasised that what was once a house built on mutual understanding and shared ambition now teeters on the edge of discord, with internal tensions threatening to erode party unity.
“Political history has taught us that no matter how formidable a party may seem, internal conflicts, if left unchecked, can lead to its collapse.
“We are gathered today to reaffirm our commitment to unity, common purpose, and the long-term success of the APC,” he said.
Kobi lamented the growing speculations surrounding the Vice President’s political future, noting that “rumours of dropping a key figure such as Shettima are akin to stripping a man naked in the marketplace, an affront that will not go unchallenged by well-meaning Nigerians within and beyond our party.”
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He recalled how past attempts to sideline prominent voices in the party resulted in deep divisions, mistrust, and ultimately contributed to the defeat of an incumbent administration.
“We must not forget the painful lessons of 2015. Shadowy political manoeuvrings and internal sabotage led to widespread disillusionment and electoral loss. Repeating that history would be a grave mistake,” he warned.
Kobi asserted that any attempt to alter the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket for 2027 would not only backfire but could provoke widespread resentment that may extend beyond the election period.
“The ghost of past miscalculations, particularly those of the PDP, still haunts them today. History has little patience for those who fail to heed its lessons,” he said.
He posed crucial questions to the party’s leadership: “Can the APC withstand the sabotage of fifth columnists intent on destroying our progress? Are we willing to let ambition blind us to the threats ahead?”
Kobi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, despite inheriting a difficult fiscal situation, and praised Vice President Shettima for leading a robust economic team with dedication and competence.
“Rather than support this transformation, these political marauders are aiming their arrows at the very captain of the economic ship. Their plan is clear: replace Shettima with someone of weaker political standing and cause internal friction that may be difficult to contain.
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“Let it be known that this calculated ingratitude is not just against the Vice President, but ultimately against President Tinubu himself. The conspirators know that Shettima, in his humility, may forgive, but the Nigerian people will not forget the injustice.
“President Tinubu has shown he is a visionary leader who is unafraid to take bold decisions for the long-term good of the nation. It is our duty to rally behind him and Vice President Shettima to build a strong, competitive, and inclusive Nigeria.”
He further said: “We hereby unequivocally endorse the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket for 2027 and pledge to continue to promote it with unwavering resolve. This is a partnership that has been tested, trusted, and proven by all.”
