President Bola Tinubu and VP Kashim Shettima
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
A meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East Stakeholders Forum in Gombe ended in disarray on Sunday after a disagreement over the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid for 2027 without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
The APC National Vice Chairman, North East Zone, Comrade Mustapha Salisu, announced the endorsement of President Tinubu’s bid, sparking tension and confusion among delegates.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State was furious, accusing the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, of hypocrisy and betrayal. Governor Zulum expressed his anger, saying, “Ashe Ki Munafukime Haka mukayi da ku. Wanna cin amana ne. Agwaintakwaran Kashim Shettima a gidana,” adding that this was a betrayal of Vice President Shettima after all the good things and favors he had done.
He further questioned, “So, this is what you will pay back the VP Kashim Shettima with after all the good things and favors he has done to you?”
The situation escalated, with Governor Zulum attempting to confront Governor Yahaya, but was restrained by security personnel.
The meeting hall became chaotic, with delegates shouting and arguing, and security forces were deployed to restore order.
In the midst of the chaos, Governor Yahaya appealed for calm, saying, “APC has done well and assured APC will continue to do well… We call on our people to be patient and focused, looking forward to a better APC and Nigeria.” However, his words fell on deaf ears as the delegates continued to express their outrage and disappointment.
The meeting was eventually abandoned, and the delegates dispersed, highlighting the deep-seated divisions within the APC and uncertainty about the party’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Zulum left the venue frowning, and immediately departed for Abuja, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
