Cross-session of APC stakeholders in Gombe
In a major show of regional unity, the Northeast Consultative Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima as their party’s sole presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 2027. The endorsement came on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, attended by key figures from Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states.
By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
In a major show of regional unity, the Northeast Consultative Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima as their party’s sole presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 2027. The endorsement came on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, attended by key figures from Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states.
State Governors endorse continuity: Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) backed the Tinubu–Shettima ticket, citing the achievements of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” in health, education, empowerment, and revenue generation .
Both the Senate and House members from the Northeast region threw their weight behind Tinubu and Shettima, a move formally announced by Senator Munguno and Rep. Usman Bello Kumo, respectively.
However, the gathering wasn’t without turbulence. APC National Vice Chairman (Northeast), Dr. Mustapha Salihu, sparked controversy by endorsing Tinubu alone—omitting any mention of Shettima. His remarks triggered loud protests from the crowd, with security intervening to escort him out .
The drama deepened when APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje similarly failed to name Shettima during his speech, drawing outrage and escalated frustration from delegates—culminating in both Salihu and Ganduje being removed from the hall under heavy security .
In the wake of these tensions, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, took the helm. He moved to pacify the crowd by explicitly endorsing both Tinubu and Shettima for re-election, restoring calm to the proceedings .
Observers described the backlash as a sign of strong regional solidarity and sensitivity around representation, especially with Shettima being a son of the Northeast. Borno Governor Zulum even led protests demanding Shettima’s inclusion, warning that the discord could foreshadow deeper intra-party rifts .
Despite the brief theatrical flare-up, the tense moment concluded with a full-throated endorsement of the Tinubu–Shettima ticket. Supporters emphasized that maintaining the duo would safeguard the region’s political footprint and sustain development momentum .
The Northeast APC’s endorsement solidifies Tinubu and Shettima’s dominance within the party ahead of 2027. Yet the disruptive scenes reflect simmering factionalism, underscoring that time—and deft political management—will determine whether the unity holds.
