The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday dismissed growing speculation over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, confirming that Vice President Kashim Shettima remains firmly on the ticket as the party declared it was heading for victory at the polls.
The clarification came as the ruling party formally received and forwarded the completed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for submission to the electoral body.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the submission of the nomination forms had settled all rumours surrounding the vice-presidential slot.
“He is the vice-presidential candidate of the party. We have just received the duly completed INEC nomination forms from Mr. President and Mr. Vice-President for onward transmission to INEC,” Morka stated.
He also dismissed speculation over whether the APC would retain its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, insisting that the party would not be distracted by rumours.
“We don’t deal in or traffic in speculations. We are about process,” he said, adding that the APC had completed its primary election and was focused on meeting all legal requirements ahead of the 2027 general election.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term, declaring that the ruling party was presenting its “best candidate” based on the administration’s record in office.
According to him, more than 12 million APC members overwhelmingly endorsed Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary, demonstrating their confidence in his leadership.
Yilwatda said the President’s achievements would earn him support beyond APC members, citing the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, road infrastructure projects and agricultural interventions as evidence of the administration’s performance.
He disclosed that over 1.5 million students had benefited from the student loan programme, while ongoing road projects across the six geopolitical zones had improved connectivity, created jobs and boosted economic activities.
He also highlighted the distribution of fertilisers to farmers as part of efforts to improve food production and support rural communities.
The APC chairman urged party leaders, governors and supporters to aggressively market the achievements of the Tinubu administration, insisting that facts should be used to counter misinformation.
He further challenged APC governors to compete in delivering the highest number of votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 election, describing such rivalry as healthy for the party.
Yilwatda maintained that the APC remained united and confident of victory, expressing optimism that Nigerians would reward the Tinubu administration with another four-year mandate.
