Ganduje Reacts To Shettima Attack, Declares Undying Loyalty To Tinubu

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed claims that he intends to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid to the exclusion of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

This clarification comes after a chaotic incident during the APC North-East stakeholders meeting in Gombe over the weekend. Tensions flared when Vice President Shettima was reportedly omitted from a motion endorsing President Tinubu for a second term, sparking outrage among delegates.

In a statement issued on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, Ganduje strongly condemned the unruly behavior displayed by some party members during the meeting.

“The disruption, thuggery, and brigandage witnessed at the APC North-East zonal meeting were not only condemnable but also irresponsible and unpatriotic,” the statement read.

The uproar began after APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, endorsed President Tinubu but failed to mention Shettima. This omission led to loud protests and threats from delegates, forcing security operatives to evacuate Salihu from the venue.

In an effort to calm the situation, Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, later endorsed both Tinubu and Shettima, drawing applause. However, the meeting ended abruptly after Ganduje, in his closing remarks, also omitted Shettima’s name, reigniting suspicions of bias.

Okpala clarified that the endorsement of President Tinubu was not meant to sideline the Vice President. “Tinubu and Shettima were elected on a joint ticket — one cannot be separated from the other,” he stressed, urging party members to refrain from sowing division.

He emphasized that Ganduje remains a neutral leader committed to uniting all members of the party. “His relationship with both Tinubu and Shettima is solid. As National Chairman, he has worked tirelessly to promote unity and inclusiveness within the APC.”

Commenting on reports that Ganduje was almost physically attacked during the event, Okpala described it as “an assault not just on him but on the leadership of the party,” calling it “totally unjustified.”

He warned that such violent behavior echoes the political tensions of Nigeria’s First Republic and urged members to embrace decorum and political maturity moving forward.