By Desire Emmanuel
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, January 26, cautioned about what it described as “growing media frenzy” regarding possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 General Election.
It said the various reports about the issue are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless, adding that both of them remain focused on their jobs.
It also called on ministers, senior government and party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations on the issue, but rather focus on their primary duty of service to government and the party.
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Monday, the party said the speculation recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacement for Shettima.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great Party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacement for Vice President Shettima.
“Our party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.
“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.
“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 that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people.
“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, and bolster the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.”
