All Progressives Congress (APC) political strategists are looking for new ways to improve their chances at the elections as the 2027 presidential election draws near. The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought’s director, Dr. Sam Amadi, has made hints that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be considering choosing a Christian from the North Central region as his running mate.
Dr. Amadi indicated in an appearance on Arise TV that Tinubu and the APC might need to reevaluate their ticket due to changing political circumstances. He pointed out that the ruling party should think about balancing its next ticket to garner more national support in light of the criticism of the 2023 Muslim-Muslim presidential coupling.
The comment from the analyst coincides with growing conjecture on Tinubu’s relationship with Vice President Kashim Shettima. Shettima’s name was noticeably missing from a recent APC endorsement event in Gombe, which sparked discussion on where he stands on the 2027 ticket. This absence reflects the sensitive political maneuvering inside the party, according to Dr. Amadi.
Amadi cited Tinubu’s history of transferring deputies as the previous governor of Lagos State, implying that a similar situation would occur on a national scale.
“What do we lose by appointing a Christian from the North Central, which hasn’t produced a president or vice president since 1999, to succeed a Muslim president from the South?” said any Tinubu strategist. “Amadi said.”
Such a move, he said, may assist Tinubu strengthen the APC’s support in the Middle Belt, which was crucial in earlier elections. However, Amadi issued a warning that Shettima’s replacement might cause internal resentment, characterizing the possible impact as “collateral damage” that could make Tinubu’s reelection campaign more difficult.
He also noted that the political landscape is changing, with younger people being more interested in governance and accountability than in religious or ethnic identities. This could provide a challenge to conventional campaign tactics in 2027.
The APC must make difficult choices in order to maintain internal unity, regional interests, and shifting voter expectations before the next general election, as highlighted by Amadi’s research.
