Shettima On The Brink? Zulum, Ndume’s Firestorm Rocks APC Ahead Of 2027

The internal political landscape of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is undergoing significant shifts, as growing concerns emerge over Vice President Kashim Shettima’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to insider reports shared with Punch, tensions are rising amid a perceived rift between Shettima and influential political figures from his home state of Borno — notably Governor Babagana Zulum and Senator Ali Ndume — who are believed to be undermining his influence within the party.

Governor Zulum, once a staunch ally and Shettima’s political protégé, has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Tinubu administration. He has openly condemned its handling of tax reforms and the persistent insecurity plaguing the North-East.

During the height of the tax policy debate, Zulum described the reforms as overly focused on Lagos, claiming they unfairly favored the South-West while neglecting Northern states. He also lambasted the Federal Government’s security strategy, accusing officials like Information Minister Mohammed Idris of being out of touch with the realities on the ground in Borno.

Party tensions reached a boiling point during the APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe on June 15. There, Zulum voiced strong objections to the party leadership’s failure to include Shettima in the 2027 endorsement for President Tinubu’s re-election.

The controversy erupted when Mustapha Salihu, APC’s North-East Zonal Vice Chairman, publicly backed Tinubu’s second-term bid but made no mention of Shettima as the vice-presidential candidate.

“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the National Working Committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election,” Salihu declared.

His omission sparked uproar among Shettima’s loyalists, who chanted the VP’s name in protest. The scene turned chaotic as one delegate even stormed the stage to confront Salihu.

Sources claim Zulum demanded the ticket explicitly reflect joint support for both Tinubu and Shettima, warning that excluding the Vice President could deepen divisions within the party.