APC Youths Slam Dogara Over Calls to Replace Vice President Shettima

The political atmosphere in Northern Nigeria is heating up as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Parliament officially moved to quell rumors regarding the party’s 2027 presidential ticket. In a sharp rebuttal issued in Bauchi, the group took aim at former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, accusing him of orchestrating a desperate campaign to regain political visibility.

The controversy stems from Dogara’s recent appearance on Channels Television, where he discussed the necessity of “justice and inclusiveness” in Nigeria’s power-sharing structures. While the former Speaker’s comments were framed around equity, the APC Youth Parliament interpreted them as a coded assault on the current Tinubu-Shettima mandate.

Kabiru Garba Kobi, Chairman of the APC Youth Parliament, did not mince words during a Tuesday press briefing. He characterized Dogara’s sudden interest in the administration’s composition as a calculated move by a politician who has found himself on the sidelines of the current power dynamic.

According to Kobi, the narrative suggesting that President Bola Tinubu might swap Vice President Kashim Shettima for a Northern Christian running mate in 2027 is both baseless and mischievous. He argued that these claims are not born out of a genuine concern for religious balance but are instead the tools of a “desperate politician” looking for an entry point into the Presidency.

Kobi pointed out the irony in Dogara’s current stance, reminding the public that the former Speaker did not support the Tinubu-Shettima ticket during the 2023 general elections. The youth leader suggested that those who worked against the party’s success are now the loudest voices attempting to dictate its future direction.

The APC Youth Parliament warned that any attempt to tinker with the current vice-presidential slot would be a catastrophic strategic error. They argued that Kashim Shettima remains a foundational pillar of the party’s strength in the North, particularly within the North-East geopolitical zone.

Replacing Shettima, the group warned, would alienate a massive voting bloc that saw the Vice President as a bridge-builder. Kobi noted that Shettima’s influence was instrumental in securing victory in 2023 and that his performance in office has only solidified his standing among the electorate.

The group’s defense of the Vice President was robust, describing him as a visionary and humble leader who has remained loyal to the President’s Renewed Hope agenda. They credited Shettima with maintaining stability in the North-East and acting as a vital link between the regional interests of the North and the federal administration.

Kobi questioned the timing of Dogara’s remarks, suggesting that if progress was the real goal, the former Speaker should acknowledge the milestones already achieved by the administration. He insisted that the Tinubu-Shettima partnership is functioning effectively and that calls for a change are merely attempts to trigger an internal crisis within the ruling party.

The youth wing emphasized that the North-East remains a stronghold for the APC largely due to Shettima’s leadership. They argued that his presence on the ticket provides a sense of representation and continuity that is essential for the party’s performance in the 2027 cycle.

Furthermore, the Parliament alleged that the “replacement narrative” is being funded and fueled by individuals who contributed nothing to the party’s previous victory. By pushing for a Christian running mate under the guise of inclusivity, these actors are allegedly trying to create a religious rift where none exists in the current governance structure.

The briefing ended with a strong vote of confidence in Vice President Kashim Shettima. The youth leaders called on President Tinubu to ignore the “distractions” from Bauchi and focus on the delivery of his mandates, asserting that the current team remains the party’s best bet for a resounding victory in the next general election.

As the 2027 political season begins to take shape, this friction highlights the ongoing internal struggle for influence within the APC’s Northern hierarchy. For now, the party’s youth wing has made it clear: they stand firmly behind the status quo, and they view any talk of replacement as a direct threat to the party’s unity and future electoral success.