Amid growing political tension, President Bola Tinubu’s silence on Vice President Shettima’s 2027 status has raised eyebrows.
Persistent rumours suggest that Tinubu may replace Shettima on the APC presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although the presidential contest remains two years away, the speculation continues to gain traction across political and media circles.
In June, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed the rumours, saying Tinubu would decide only after the APC primaries.
However, Tinubu’s former political adviser, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, insists the President should have publicly addressed the issue directly.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed criticized Tinubu’s silence as troubling and avoidable.
He noted, “If these rumours are completely false, Tinubu should have personally declared support for Shettima—loudly and unequivocally.”
Baba-Ahmed believes the issue requires an immediate and clear presidential response to stop further damage to internal party unity.
He said, “The President could end this controversy by simply affirming his confidence in Vice President Shettima’s loyalty.”
He also stressed that relying on spokespersons fails to project the conviction needed to shut down damaging political narratives.
According to him, “If Tinubu truly values Shettima as his 2027 running mate, he must say so—directly and with clarity.”
He added, “These speculations fuel instability within the APC and suggest a lack of communication between both top government officials.”
Baba-Ahmed warned that delaying such a statement could hurt Tinubu’s image and weaken his administration’s perception of unity.
