APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) Mustapha Salihu explained why his endorsement of President Tinubu didn’t include VP Shettima, citing party convention, and dismissed rumors of a rift after a rowdy Gombe summit
APC Internal Friction rumors have been addressed by the National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, who clarified why his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu did not explicitly include Vice President Kashim Shettima during Sunday’s APC North-East summit in Gombe.
Also read: After Mob Attack, APC Chieftain Affirms Tinubu’s Sole Right to Choose 2027 Running Mate
Salihu, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, explained that the omission was in line with party convention and constitutional provisions.
“In my full speech—the last paragraph before the endorsement—I eulogised Kashim Shettima, recognising him as our son and expressing that we stand by him as people of the North-East,” Salihu stated.
He added, “I also appreciated the national security adviser as our son, whom we are proud of, and acknowledged all the ministers and parastatals given to North-East indigenes, thanking Asiwaju [Tinubu] for that, before calling for the endorsement of him as the sole presidential candidate.”
Salihu stressed that during party primaries, the endorsement process pertains only to presidential aspirants, not their running mates.
“In party politics, we have only one ticket at the primary stage—for the executive chairman, local government chairman, governors, and president. There is no provision in our constitution that allows for the endorsement of a joint ticket at that level,” he explained.
He further clarified, “It is only after the primaries, when a candidate emerges, that he chooses a running mate. That choice remains the constitutional prerogative of the presidential candidate, even though consultations may occur.”
Salihu noted that this rationale informed why governors like Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe similarly endorsed Tinubu without jointly endorsing Shettima, even while praising the vice president as “our own”.
Asked about speculation suggesting a rift between the President and his vice, Salihu dismissed the rumors as distractions fueled by “conflict entrepreneurs.”
In my full speech—the last paragraph before the endorsement—I eulogised Kashim Shettima, recognising him as our son and expressing that we stand by him as people of the North-East.
“The administration of a party is not run on social media, newspapers, or television. It’s handled internally,” he asserted.
“These kinds of rumours are inevitable in every administration—people will always try to suggest friction between the principal and the Vice. It’s what some insecure politicians thrive on. But if you’re secure in yourself, you shouldn’t be bothered by such noise.”
On concerns that the omission of Shettima’s name from the endorsement could create discontent in the North-East, Salihu disagreed.
“Anybody saying there’s discontent is simply wrong,” he stated.
“I’m in Yola. I’ve engaged with members from Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe. We all stayed up the night before the summit brainstorming. We did what the law permits—mentioning and praising our son. Other zones didn’t even have that obligation. We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer; there’s only one ticket—president. Endorsing Tinubu with conditions would have been inappropriate.”
He added that suggesting who should be Tinubu’s running mate would amount to “putting the cart before the horse.”
Meanwhile, Sunday’s APC North-East summit in Gombe did indeed end in commotion after Salihu’s endorsement triggered protests from party members who questioned the vice president’s omission.
Efforts by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to restore calm had little effect, forcing security operatives to intervene.
Tensions eased after APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, addressed the gathering and offered separate praise for both Tinubu and Shettima.
Notably, this endorsement followed a similar one on May 22, when 22 APC governors adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election—also without mentioning the vice president.
However, Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, had publicly dissociated himself from the endorsement, stating that he “pitied Tinubu” and warned that such endorsements do not always guarantee re-election.
Salihu also denied claims of coercion at the Gombe summit, stating, “No one was threatened to toe a particular line.”
Also read: Peter Obi Urges Nigerians to Prioritize “Four Cs” in Leadership Selection
He hinted at ongoing investigations over the incident and said he awaited public apologies within 48 hours.
