The All Progressives Congress has dismissed reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be replaced as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as “purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.”
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party urged media organisations to refrain from giving their platforms to rumour peddlers and “mischievous ‘news sources’ of questionable provenance whose sole intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity.”
“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacements for Vice President Shettima,” the statement said.
The party also cautioned ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against engaging in or fuelling speculations.
“Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.
It urged them to focus on their primary responsibility of diligent service to the government and the party, as well as supporting and strengthening the achievements of President Tinubu.
“We urge media organisations to refrain from lending their platforms to rumour-peddlers and mischievous ‘news sources’ of questionable provenance whose only intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity,” the statement added.
The statement noted that the ban on political activities remains in force, stressing that the President should not be distracted from the task of governance.
The ruling party also noted that political activities remain restricted under existing laws and electoral regulations, stressing that it is not engaged in succession discussions at this time.
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“Under our laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force.
“At this time, our party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms, which are steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity and improving the living conditions of our people,” the statement said.
The APC further cautioned its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against making statements that could fuel unnecessary speculation.
“We call on our ministers, senior government and Party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party,” the statement added, urging them to bolster “the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.”
This also comes hours after the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, warned that the ruling party risks losing key northern states in 2027 if it alters the Bola Tinubu–Kashim Shettima presidential ticket.