The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 elections, warning that such a decision could weaken northern Muslim support for the party.

The warning was issued in Abuja on Saturday by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who also served as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 polls.

President Tinubu has recently faced pressure from some political stakeholders urging him to reconsider the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, with critics arguing that it contributed to setbacks in states such as Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory during the 2023 elections.

Defending the current arrangement, the North-Central APC Forum described the ticket as a strategic choice that did not undermine religious balance. According to Vanguard, the Forum noted that Christians from the Middle Belt occupy significant positions in government, citing the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as examples.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not diminish President Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt. With key positions already held by Middle Belt Christians, the region will continue to back his leadership,” the Forum stated.

It added that the President’s performance in office, rather than his choice of running mate, would ultimately determine electoral outcomes. “There is no need to abandon a strategy that has proven successful,” the group said.

The Forum further argued that replacing Shettima would not necessarily win over blocs that rejected the APC in 2023, insisting that the focus should remain on governance and inclusivity rather than political manoeuvring.

“Our view is that retaining the current team offers the best chance to consolidate the gains achieved so far. Major changes could unsettle the party’s support base,” it cautioned.