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Mumuni, who served as a member of the intelligence and security team of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, described Shettima as a strong political asset with the clout, loyalty and grassroots support needed to sustain the party’s hold on power.
He spoke against the backdrop of recent controversies surrounding the exclusion of the Vice President’s photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution. The incident has fuelled speculation about an alleged plot to drop Shettima from the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Reacting to the development, Mumuni said speculations about replacing Shettima with a Christian running mate in the name of religious balancing were not strategically sound in the prevailing political environment.
According to him, the northern region currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient acceptance, nationwide appeal and political structure capable of complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“Any miscalculation in this regard could jeopardise the winning ticket for the current administration. Electoral arithmetic, not sentiment, must guide decisions of this magnitude,” he said.
The APC stalwart further commended Shettima’s “unwavering loyalty and commitment” to President Tinubu and the administration’s reform agenda, describing it as a vital stabilising factor in governance.
He warned that replacing a vice president who has demonstrated consistency and alignment with the president’s vision could introduce unnecessary uncertainty into the political system and weaken internal cohesion.
While acknowledging that calls for broader Christian representation in national leadership were legitimate and well-intentioned, Mumuni urged party leaders to pursue inclusivity without disrupting the existing political balance.
He suggested that greater representation could be achieved through strategic appointments of competent, influential individuals to key positions within government.
Mumuni also cautioned against drawing parallels between Nigeria’s political dynamics and those of other countries, particularly the United States under former President Donald Trump.
“Nigeria’s socio-political environment is unique and requires home-grown solutions. Imported political templates may not fit our complex realities,” he said.
He outlined several risks associated with changing the vice president, including threats to political stability, negative public perception, internal party divisions and possible loss of electoral advantage.
According to him, a new vice president could face challenges of acceptance, loyalty and policy alignment, which are essential for effective governance.
He added that such a transition could disrupt policy direction and slow administrative efficiency, as a new office holder would require time to adjust to the demands of the office.
Mumuni maintained that preserving the Tinubu–Shettima alliance remains the most viable option as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
He called for constructive internal dialogue within the APC on how to deepen inclusion and national unity without compromising political stability.
“Maintaining cohesion and focusing on good governance will best serve Nigeria’s interests,” he said, urging party stakeholders to prioritise unity and strategic thinking over divisive speculation.
SOURCE: THEGUARDIAN
