APC North-East Crisis Deepens as Governor Zulum Leads Protest Over Shettima’s Exclusion from Tinubu’s 2027 Endorsement

APC North-East Crisis Deepens as Governor Zulum Leads Protest Over Shettima’s Exclusion from Tinubu’s 2027 Endorsement*

A serious crisis is unfolding within Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following a controversial endorsement process for the 2027 presidential election. 

On Sunday, at a North-East APC stakeholders meeting held in Gombe State, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State led protests after party leaders endorsed President Bola Tinubu for reelection but conspicuously omitted Vice President Kashim Shettima from the endorsement.

The meeting, attended by governors and party officials from the North-East geopolitical zone, initially saw unified praise for Tinubu’s leadership and calls for his second term. 

However, tensions escalated when APC North-East Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu announced Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 without mentioning Shettima, who hails from the same state. 

This omission sparked outrage among delegates, who demanded Shettima’s inclusion, chanting slogans such as “What about Shettima?” and “Mention our son!” The situation deteriorated to the point that security personnel had to intervene, and both Salihu and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje were escorted out amid the protests.

The crisis highlights a deep rift within the APC’s North-East faction. 

While some leaders, including Governor Zulum, have actively protested the sidelining of Shettima, others had earlier endorsed Tinubu alone at a national summit, also excluding the vice president. 

In contrast, other North-East APC leaders and stakeholders have expressed strong support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, underscoring Shettima’s importance to the region and the party’s unity.

The discord has raised concerns about the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections, with analysts warning that the fallout could threaten APC’s dominance if not resolved. 

Senator Ali Ndume from Borno distanced himself from the sole endorsement of Tinubu, recalling how a similar situation led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan despite gubernatorial endorsements. 

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has been vocal in calling for honest leadership and direct engagement with security agencies to tackle ongoing challenges in the Northeast, reflecting his broader concerns about governance and party unity.

The APC faces a looming internal crisis as Governor Zulum leads a faction protesting the exclusion of Vice President Shettima from the party’s endorsement for 2027, while other leaders back Tinubu alone. 

The North-East APC’s divided stance underscores the urgency for reconciliation to maintain party unity and electoral strength in the state.