Abuja — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over the composition of the ruling party’s ticket. The confirmation came on Friday when the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) received the presidential nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima at a ceremony held at the Continental Hotel in Abuja. The forms were presented on the President’s behalf by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the occasion as a defining moment for the party, noting it reaffirmed the collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the ceremony reflected the confidence of over 12 million APC members who backed Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s candidate during its primary election. Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ unwavering support for the President and the party’s leadership, pledging continued mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls. The event drew several state governors, including Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano) and Nasir Idris (Kebbi), alongside other senior party leaders. The retention puts to rest persistent reports that Tinubu was considering replacing Shettima with a northern Christian to broaden the party’s appeal ahead of the election, following criticism of the Muslim-Muslim ticket that won the 2023 polls. Names that had circulated as possible replacements included former Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. With the formal submission of the nomination forms, the APC heads into the 2027 general election with the same presidential ticket that secured its victory in 2023. Ene Mary McDickson