Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election after the All Progressives Congress (APC) submitted their nomination forms before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline.
The nomination documents, presented by the President’s Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, were received by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during a ceremony in Abuja attended by party leaders, governors, members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders.
The submission ends months of speculation over Tinubu’s choice of running mate and enabled the APC to upload the Tinubu-Shettima ticket to the INEC nomination portal before the July 11 deadline.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda expressed confidence in the party’s electoral strength, stating that Tinubu enters the 2027 race with the backing of more than 12 million registered APC members who supported him during the party’s presidential primary.
He argued that the administration’s programmes including the student loan initiative, infrastructure development, and agricultural support have expanded the President’s support base across the country.
According to him, beneficiaries of these initiatives and their families are expected to contribute significantly to the party’s votes in 2027.
Yilwatda urged APC governors, party officials, and supporters to intensify efforts to publicise the administration’s achievements and mobilise voters nationwide.
He maintained that the party remains confident of victory despite opposition criticism.
“We are not afraid, and we have no doubt about our success. Our victory in the 2027 election is assured,” he declared, while assuring President Tinubu of the party’s commitment to delivering its strongest electoral performance across all geopolitical zones.
