2027: You will lose 80% of Northern Muslim votes if…, APC forum warns Tinubu

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has warned President Bola Tinubu that dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election could cost him 80% of northern Muslim votes.

The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, advised Tinubu to maintain the status quo and retain Shettima, citing the success of their ticket in the 2023 election.

Zazzaga argued that those calling for Shettima’s replacement didn’t vote for Tinubu in 2023 and won’t vote for him in 2027, even if he drops Shettima.

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“Those that are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party,” he said.

The APC Forum also countered claims that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would lead to losses in the Middle Belt, pointing out key positions held by prominent Middle Belt Christians in the APC government, such as APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt… We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central,” the statement read.

Zazzaga further accused some individuals of seeking Tinubu’s defeat in 2027, saying, “The truth is most of these people are not Tinubu’s supporters, they don’t really want him to win reelection in 2027.”

He also warned against alienating northern Muslim communities while focusing on northern Christians, stating this approach could backfire.

The APC Forum’s advice to Tinubu, TRIBUNE ONLINE gathered, is to stick with the winning formula from 2023.

“We advise Mr President not to gamble with the 2023 election. President Tinubu will lose 80 percent of northern Muslim votes if he decides to change Shettima,” the statement stressed.