2027: Yakubu Dogara, Uba Sani top lists to replace VP Shettima

Sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC headquarters indicated that some top politicians from the northern zone are being touted as possible replacement for the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general election.

The replacement of Shettima swirled after crisis that rocked the zonal meeting of the APC which held at the Gombe State International Conference Centre a fortnight ago.

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In the meeting, APC stakeholders endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term of office without the mention of his Vice, Kashim Shettima, a development that fueled suspicion by Shettima’s supporters who resorted to throwing of chairs at one another.

Presidency however dismissed media reports that Tinubu might replace Shettima in 2027.

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Meanwhile the suggestion of replacement has refused to mellow at the APC headquarters as some prominent names have been touted as possible replacement of Shettima in 2027 presidential election.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives who is also of a Christian faith, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State was named by a credible source as possible replacement of Shettima.

Others speculated are:

Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State;

Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser;

Mohammed Bago, Niger State Governor;

Uba Sani, Kaduna State Governor;

Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State Governor

Of the names suggested, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu is seen as a good potential to succeed President Tinubu in 2031, hence, if he is made a Vice President, it will place him in a drivers seat for possible succession in 20231.

Rinbadu hails from Adamawa, the homestate of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and if he is nominated for the joint ticket, it is seen as a strategy to further weaken Atiku and his proposed coalition.

Dogara’s name is allegedly being pushed to balance the religious equation on the ticket by replacing the Muslim-Muslim pairing with a Christian-Muslim one, to court broader national appeal.

As for the three governors, Bago, Sani, and Yahaya, party loyalists reportedly cited their “brilliant performances” in office and rising political profiles as the basis for their inclusion.

Meanwhile, those close to the administration argue that Shettima’s political base in the North, especially in Borno State, remains a key strategic asset for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The source said, “President Tinubu will not risk dropping Shettima in 2027. The vice president is an asset to him. First and foremost, he has a formidable structure. Remember he was the first to support President Tinubu before the All Progressives Congress.

“There was a conspiracy among some party members to stop Tinubu from contesting the party primaries but Shettima stood solidly with him and openly supported him.

“You can also remember the time he described the former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo an ice cream seller and he was even the Director General of the Tinubu’s campaign and formed the nucleus for his election. Since his emergence as the Vice President, he has been loyal to his boss. Remember loyalty is one of the cardinal considerations in politics.

“Again, competence is another consideration. He has not failed in any assignment given to him by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President Tinubu is one of the smartest politicians around and he knows what he wants.”

The source further described the Vice President as a detribalized Nigerian who rose to the occasion when some youths in the North gave a quit notice to the people of the South East extraction to leave the North.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga insisted that it is premature to speak about 2027 when journalists asked to clear air on the speculation.

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