The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday announced Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, received the names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with electoral requirements.
The President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, submitted both names at a brief ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen of the party and some party’s governorship candidates.
Speaking during the event, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, said the with the duo, the APC would secure a landslide victory at the polls.
Argungu said the occasion marked the formal submission of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He said Tinubu had earlier emerged the party’s presidential candidate through a transparent primary process and advised party members to remain united behind the leadership calling on members to continue supporting the party and praying for Nigeria,
Argungu praised Tinubu for what he described as the positive strides of his administration.
He thereafter submitted the names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to the party’s National Chairman for onward processing.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the governors, pledged their unwavering support for the President and the APC leadership.
He said “we are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party.”
Uzodimma said the governors are loyal to the APC, which he said is guided by internal democracy and inclusiveness.
The governor said “we will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support.
“Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies.
Speaking, Prof. Yilwatda, said the event reflected the confidence reposed in Tinubu by party members.
He said “today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature.
“We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him.”
Yilwatda highlighted some of the administration’s achievements, including the student loan scheme, which he said had benefited over 1.5 million students, agricultural interventions and infrastructure projects across the country.
He told Alhaji Ibrahim Masari to convey a message of confidence to Tinubu, saying “go and tell the leader of our party that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing.”
Yilwatda told party members and supporters to return to their communities and promote the achievements of the Tinubu administration with verifiable facts.
“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones,” he stated.
He expressed confidence ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that the APC remained the only political party with a verified membership register.
“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes.”
“As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” he declared.
