RismadarVoice Reporters
October 17, 2026
Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that internal disagreements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pose a greater threat to the party’s electoral prospects in 2027 than the challenge presented by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other opposition figures.
Shettima made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja during the unveiling of the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern political coalition supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President.
Speaking at the inauguration of the coalition’s campaign structure, Shettima emphasised that unity, discipline and grassroots mobilisation would be critical to the APC’s success in the next general elections.
He expressed confidence in the ruling party’s political strength but cautioned that internal rivalries and disagreements could weaken its electoral performance if not properly managed.
“Honestly, I am not afraid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am not afraid of a diminished Peter Obi. But I am more afraid of internal contradictions within our household. If we unite as a people, as a family, we will conquer,” Shettima said.
SHETTIMA WARNS APC AGAINST INTERNAL SABOTAGE
The Vice President urged APC leaders and supporters to avoid political divisions capable of undermining the party’s candidates at different levels.
He warned against a situation in which party members mobilise support for the presidential ticket while working against APC governorship candidates.
“There is no point in championing the cause of the presidential election and then undermining the governor in the gubernatorial election,” he said.
Shettima maintained that the party must approach the 2027 elections with a coordinated strategy that supports candidates contesting presidential, governorship and legislative positions.
He called on party officials to work collectively rather than allow personal ambitions or factional disagreements to weaken the organisation.
According to him, the APC’s electoral strength would depend not only on its national leadership but also on its ability to maintain unity across states, local government areas and wards.
VICE PRESIDENT CHALLENGES SUPPORTERS TO DEFEAT ATIKU RESPECTFULLY
Shettima also addressed the political challenge posed by Atiku Abubakar, urging APC supporters to work towards defeating the former Vice President at the polls.
However, he stressed that political competition should be conducted with respect.
“Go and perform. Go and defeat Baba Atiku. Defeat him respectfully,” he told the gathering.
The Vice President’s remarks reflected his confidence in the APC’s ability to compete against opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
He maintained that party members should focus on effective mobilisation, political organisation and engagement with voters rather than unnecessary confrontation.
Shettima also expressed confidence in the ruling party’s support base across northern Nigeria.
“From Adamawa to Zamfara, from Borno to Niger, we have spoken,” he said.
He urged supporters to translate that confidence into practical political work in their respective communities.
APC CLAIMS STRONG GRASSROOTS STRUCTURE
Highlighting the importance of party organisation, Shettima cited figures indicating that the APC had 361,045 officials operating from ward to local government levels nationwide.
He compared the figure with Nigeria’s 176,845 polling units, arguing that the party possessed sufficient organisational capacity to mobilise voters across the country.
According to him, effective grassroots engagement would be essential to converting the party’s numerical strength into electoral success.
The Vice President stressed that political influence must be demonstrated through practical work at the community level.
“Politics is still local,” he said.
He maintained that party officials and political appointees should remain connected to the communities they represent.
POLITICAL APPOINTEES TO BE ASSESSED BY GRASSROOTS PERFORMANCE
Shettima disclosed that he had asked the Governor of Borno State to compile a comprehensive list of political appointees from the state.
He explained that the exercise would enable an assessment of their political contributions at polling-unit, ward and local government levels.
According to the Vice President, political appointments should be accompanied by meaningful engagement with constituents and support for the party’s activities.
He argued that political leaders who occupy influential positions must demonstrate their relevance through grassroots participation.
The approach, he suggested, would encourage greater accountability among party officials and strengthen mobilisation ahead of the elections.
SHETTIMA MAKES CLAIMS ABOUT APC’S NORTHERN DOMINANCE
The Vice President also made claims about the APC’s growing political influence in northern Nigeria.
He asserted that the ruling party controlled 18 of the region’s 19 states.
Shettima further claimed that 15 of the 18 members of the House of Representatives elected from Kano State on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had defected to the APC.
He presented the developments as evidence of the party’s expanding political strength.
However, the figures represent claims made by the Vice President and require comparison with current official records of state governors’ party affiliations and National Assembly membership.
VICE PRESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGES ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
Despite expressing confidence in the ruling party, Shettima acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting many Nigerians.
He said the challenges faced by households should remind public officials of the need to improve governance and address citizens’ concerns.
“Every household struggling to make ends meet reminds us how much remains to be done,” he said.
The Vice President warned that political leaders could become disconnected from the realities facing ordinary citizens if they relied solely on praise from supporters.
He maintained that government officials must remain attentive to public concerns and recognise that significant work remains to be done.
His remarks came amid continuing public debate over the cost of living, household purchasing power and the impact of economic reforms.
SHETTIMA DEFENDS TINUBU’S ECONOMIC POLICIES
The Vice President defended the economic policies introduced by President Tinubu, arguing that the administration inherited serious financial challenges when it assumed office in May 2023.
He claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at approximately $3.9 billion at the time, while expenditure under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Ways and Means financing arrangement exceeded ₦27 trillion.
Shettima argued that the country was approaching a severe economic crisis before the current administration began implementing reforms.
He credited the President with taking difficult decisions aimed at stabilising public finances and improving economic conditions.
The Vice President further claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had increased to approximately $58.9 billion.
The reserve figures were presented as Shettima’s claims and should not be treated as independently verified Central Bank data without clarification of the reserve measure and reporting period being referenced.
NORTH HAS NOTHING TO FEAR FROM TINUBU’S SECOND TERM — SHETTIMA
Shettima assured northern Nigerians that the region would benefit from a second term for President Tinubu.
He maintained that the administration remained committed to addressing development challenges across the North.
“For the North, we have absolutely nothing to fear in a Tinubu second term. He has the North at heart,” the Vice President said.
He urged northern political leaders and supporters to remain united behind the President and other APC candidates.
Shettima also called for greater cooperation among political stakeholders to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
APC CHAIRMAN HIGHLIGHTS NORTHERN ROAD PROJECTS
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
Yilwatda argued that the administration’s infrastructure projects demonstrated its commitment to development in northern Nigeria.
He identified the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maiduguri highways as examples of major road projects intended to improve transportation and economic connectivity.
According to him, the two road corridors cover more than 900 kilometres combined.
The APC chairman maintained that such infrastructure investments would support commerce, transportation and regional development.
He expressed optimism that northern voters would recognise the administration’s efforts during the 2027 elections.
AREWA FOR ASIWAJU UNVEILS ABUJA CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS
Former Jigawa State Governor and A4A Director-General, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, announced the formal opening of the coalition’s campaign headquarters.
He identified the facility’s location as No. 4 Port Harcourt Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Badaru described the headquarters as an important centre for coordinating political activities and mobilising support for the Tinubu–Shettima ticket.
He said the coalition would pursue a peaceful, disciplined and issue-based campaign.
According to him, A4A intends to engage voters across different sectors of society, including traders, farmers, students, religious communities and other grassroots groups.
He explained that the coalition’s activities would extend to markets, farms, universities, mosques and churches.
Badaru maintained that the campaign organisation would focus on strengthening public engagement and promoting the administration’s policies and achievements.
INTERNAL UNITY EMERGES AS CENTRAL APC CONCERN
Shettima’s remarks have placed renewed attention on the importance of internal party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although the Vice President expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to defeat opposition candidates, he acknowledged that disagreements within the ruling party could present serious challenges.
His warning highlighted the potential consequences of factional disputes, conflicting political interests and inadequate coordination among party stakeholders.
The Vice President maintained that electoral success would require cooperation across the party’s national, state and grassroots structures.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, the APC faces the task of maintaining internal unity while defending the Tinubu administration’s record before voters.
For Shettima, the immediate priority is ensuring that the ruling party remains united and organised, rather than allowing internal divisions to weaken its electoral ambitions.
