The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially confirmed Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that the party will secure a landslide victory at the polls.
The formal announcement was made on Friday during the submission of the nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with electoral requirements.
President Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, who presented the completed nomination documents before party leaders, including members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the APC National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen and some governorship candidates.
Speaking at the event, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, described the occasion as the formal submission of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates. He recalled that Tinubu had earlier emerged as the party’s presidential flag bearer through what he described as a transparent primary process.
Argungu urged party members to remain united behind the leadership, continue supporting the APC and pray for Nigeria. He also commended President Tinubu for what he called the positive achievements of his administration before presenting the names of Tinubu and Shettima to the party chairman.
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reaffirmed their unwavering support for President Tinubu and the party leadership.
He said the governors were pleased that the submission followed a well-organised and transparent primary election, adding that they remained committed to supporting the President and ensuring the APC records victories in all elective positions in the 2027 general election.
“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. We also reaffirm our support for the National Working Committee. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins the presidency, governorships, National Assembly and State Assembly seats,” Uzodimma said.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda described the event as a reflection of the confidence millions of party members have in President Tinubu’s leadership.
He said over 12 million verified APC members had already endorsed the President’s candidature, expressing optimism that even more Nigerians would support him in the 2027 election.
Yilwatda highlighted what he described as key achievements of the Tinubu administration, including the student loan programme, which he said has benefited more than 1.5 million students, as well as agricultural interventions and infrastructure projects across the country.
He urged Masari to convey the party’s message of confidence to the President, saying Nigerians would vote for him to continue what he described as the administration’s excellent work.
The APC chairman also challenged party members to return to their various communities and promote the achievements of the Tinubu administration with verifiable facts.
“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones,” he said.
Expressing optimism ahead of the 2027 polls, Yilwatda said the APC remains the only political party with a verified membership register of about 12 million members.
“We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes.
“As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” he declared.
Speaking with journalists after the ceremony, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka reaffirmed the party’s ticket, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the APC’s presidential candidate, while Vice President Kashim Shettima is the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.