APC Chieftain Dismisses Tinubu-Shettima Rift, Calls Reports Malicious Rumours

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Amid speculation of a strained relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Ismaeel Ahmed, has firmly denied rumours of plans to replace Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ahmed, a former member of the APC Board of Trustees, dismissed the reports as baseless, insisting there is no discord between the two leaders.

“It’s not true. I know it very well. Who is ever in a 100% relationship with anyone? There is trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. We are trying to create an issue where there is none,” Ahmed stated.

He described the claims as “malicious rumours” spread by those unfamiliar with the workings of the presidency, adding that “there is no discussion about substituting the Vice President or blocking him.”

Ahmed urged Nigerians to focus on governance rather than political distractions, noting that the administration still has significant work to accomplish.

“We have a four-year mandate. Two years have passed, and we have two more to go. Let’s focus on governing. There are many things we are doing right—let’s highlight them. Anything else is a distraction,” he said.

His remarks followed controversy at the APC North-East summit in Gombe, where the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, endorsed Tinubu for a second term without mentioning Shettima. Ahmed dismissed the incident as unnecessary drama, stating that Tinubu’s re-election bid is already a given under APC traditions.

“Why endorse a president who doesn’t need it? Tinubu will naturally be our candidate in 2027. Such endorsements are orchestrated sycophancy,” he said.

Ahmed also cautioned against premature political campaigns, stressing that the APC should prioritise governance over responding to opposition.

“The President and Vice President should engage with Nigerians, not chase shadows. We are not scared of any opposition,” he added.

Meanwhile, Salihu, in a separate interview, dismissed insinuations of Shettima’s marginalisation, attributing such narratives to “conflict entrepreneurs.”

“Party administration is handled internally, not on social media. These rumours are the work of insecure politicians,” Salihu said.

He defended the North-East summit’s proceedings, stating that endorsing Tinubu without conditions was appropriate, as discussing a running mate this early would be premature.

“We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer now. Talking about 2027 running mates at this stage is like putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

Both leaders urged the public to disregard the rumours and allow the government to focus on delivering its promises.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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