Amid growing rumours of a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to calm nerves and clarify the state of the presidency.
The North-West Vice Chairman of the APC, Garba Datti Muhammad, on Monday dismissed allegations of a brewing political feud between the duo, describing them as “baseless distractions fueled by political opportunists.”
In an exclusive interview with journalists in Abuja, Muhammad stated that the Tinubu-Shettima partnership remains “solid, strategic, and focused on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“There is no crisis. Those spreading these stories are simply looking to sow division where none exists,” he said. “This administration is united, and both the President and the Vice President are aligned in their vision for Nigeria’s development.”
Speculation has been rife in political circles that Shettima may be nursing presidential ambitions ahead of 2027, prompting talk of disloyalty or a power struggle within the presidency. However, Muhammad insisted that such claims are “diversionary tactics” by opposition elements threatened by the government’s reforms.
He pointed to several recent public appearances where Tinubu and Shettima jointly attended functions, “clearly demonstrating mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose.”
While acknowledging that political interests often shift as elections draw closer, Muhammad emphasized that the party would not allow internal distractions to derail its governance priorities.
He also urged party members and supporters to focus on mobilizing grassroots support and consolidating APC’s national leadership rather than fueling unfounded speculations.
As 2027 inches closer, analysts say such rumours are not uncommon in Nigeria’s turbulent political terrain. But for now, the APC leadership insists that the Tinubu-Shettima alliance is intact — and on course.
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