The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly dismissed rumors of a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as reports suggesting that Tinubu is considering a new running mate for the 2027 elections. The party described these claims as baseless and unfounded.

In a statement, APC National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, labeled the rumors as mere speculation, likening them to casual beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously. He emphasized that any potential change in the vice-presidency would require extensive consultations with key political stakeholders and cannot be decided unilaterally by the president.

“This is pure speculation without foundation. These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously,” Ibrahim stated.

Although President Tinubu has not officially declared his bid for a second term, party loyalists and key stakeholders have already started mobilizing support for his re-election.

Meanwhile, political figures from Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone have intensified calls for the region to be given either the presidency or vice-presidency in the 2027 elections. A delegation of representatives from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, urged major political parties to allocate their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to the North Central region.

The group argued that if the APC grants Tinubu the right of first refusal for the presidential ticket, the vice-presidency should be given to North Central. Prof. Nghargbu pointed out that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the region has not produced a democratically elected president or vice president, calling it a matter of fairness.

“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic,” Nghargbu stated.

In response, Bala Ibrahim rejected the North Central’s demand, calling it “unrealistic” and “dead on arrival.” He argued that the region should not view the presidency or vice-presidency as a right, noting that the North West’s higher electoral contribution should be considered in these discussions. Ibrahim also criticized past demands from the region, claiming they often cause unnecessary political tension.

Ibrahim concluded by stating that zoning discussions should not arise until President Tinubu has completed his first term, stressing that the current president should be allowed to serve out his full tenure.

“The current occupant of the presidency must be given the chance to serve two terms. Conversations about zoning should only happen after that,” he added.