2027: Retain Shettima as running mate, Zulum urges Tinubu

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Sunday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2027.

Zulum made the appeal while delivering his speech at the All Progressives Congress (APC) North East Consultative Forum meeting held in Gombe.

He said that Shettima had made significant contributions towards achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and helped advanced the priorities of the Tinubu-led administration.

According to him, the synergy between Tinubu and Shettima was that of strong unity and shared vision which guaranteed that Nigeria is indeed well represented.

“We urge him (President Tinubu) to retain our own Kashim Shettima as running mate in 2027.

“On behalf of the people and government of Borno State, I endorse Tinubu and Kashim ticket 2027.

“I plead with this forum to also support the Tinubu/Kashim 2027 initiative, ” he said.

The governor said it was important to state the remarkable role of Shettima whose leadership, dedication and vast experience have been pivotal in advancing the priorities of the administration.

The governor stated that it was a rare opportunity for the Northeast to have the vice president from its region

According to him, such was a reflection of the trust and confidence that Tinubu and Nigeria have in the Northeast.

The governor applauded Tinubu’s administration, and urged the Northeast zone and the entire North to unite and support the president in 2027 to consolidate on the gains so far made.

“I commend President Bola Tinubu’s laudable achievements during this difficult times and I want to call on the people of the Northeast and Nigeria to be patient with this administration.

“I call on the people of the North that no region can stand alone without the support of other regions.

“Therefore, we must put heads together to support this administration for continuity,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that there was a mild drama during the meeting which led to the eventual abrupt end of the meeting.

This happened after Mr Mustapha Salihu, the National Vice Chairman of APC, Northeast, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Tinubu for 2027.

Salihu endorsed Tinubu on behalf of the APC Northeast Committee as APC’s unopposed candidate for 2027, without mentioning Shettima.

This caused uproar as APC stakeholders from Borno chanted “Shettima 2027” urging Salihu to return to the podium and also endorse Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate.

It took the combined efforts of the security, Zulum and other APC stakeholders to calm the situation before the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje could deliver his speech.

It took the intervention of security personnel at the meeting to escort top party leaders out of the venue of the meeting.