2027: APC chieftain urges Shettima to resign

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Salihu Isa Nataro, has advised Vice President Kashim Shettima to voluntarily withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing signs that he may no longer enjoy the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nataro, a former governorship aspirant in Kebbi State and a vocal figure in the APC, made the call following the confusion that recently played out in Gombe State over who should serve as Tinubu’s running mate in the next general election.

Speaking to journalists, Nataro claimed the Vice President might have lost his place within the President’s inner circle.

“If the Vice President truly appreciates the historic opportunity he was given in 2022, the honourable thing would be for him to quietly bow out,” Nataro said. “He should notify the President and the party leadership of his decision without any bitterness. That would show maturity and loyalty.”

Nataro added that if Shettima issues a public statement announcing he will not seek a second term alongside Tinubu but will instead support the APC campaign from behind the scenes, it could help stabilize the party and calm rising tensions within its ranks.

“Such a move will not only help President Tinubu consolidate power ahead of 2027, but it will also demonstrate statesmanship on the part of Shettima,” he noted. “He can still play a major role in the campaign, perhaps as the coordinator in the North-East and walk away with his integrity intact.”

Nataro further argued that Shettima’s exit could give Tinubu the opportunity to select a new running mate from the southern region, a move he said would improve Nigeria’s image internationally and potentially boost youth confidence in the administration.

He also recalled how Tinubu, in 2022, took many by surprise when he picked Shettima as his running mate without broad consultations.