All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the North-East geopolitical zone have called on President Bola Tinubu to rethink Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate, warning that retaining him could cost the party significant support in the region.

In a series of a telephone interviews with our correspondent, prominent APC leaders from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Taraba states expressed deep dissatisfaction with Vice President Shettima’s leadership style, and accused him of favouritism, marginalisation, and political sabotage.

They allege that Shettima has consistently sidelined other states in the North-East in favour of his home state, Borno, particularly in federal appointments and distribution of projects. 

According to them, this approach has created widespread disaffection and threatens the unity and electoral fortunes of the APC in the zone. Alhaji Usman Umar Gieri, a prominent APC figure from Adamawa State, accused Shettima of deliberately excluding loyal party members from federal appointments.

“Major APC chieftains, who spent their time and resources to work for the party, were left out in the cold. Only those from Borno State were rewarded. How do you expect us to mobilise support again in 2027?” he queried.

Aminu Mustapha, another party stalwart from Yola, described Shettima as lacking political value outside Borno State.

“The only way Tinubu can secure votes from the North-East is by dropping Shettima. His actions have caused mass defection of APC loyalists to other parties,” Mustapha said.

The stakeholders also cited the Vice President’s alleged interference in the leadership of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) as a major point of contention. 

They accused him of unilaterally reversing the appointment of Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu from Gombe as Managing Director, reinstating Mohammed Alkali from Borno, a move they say, violated the NEDC Establishment Act, which provides for rotational leadership among the six states of the region.

Garba Tijani, an APC chieftain from Gombe, condemned what he described as the Vice President’s disregard for fairness and inclusivity. The discontent appears to cut across the region. Alhaji Bakura Idris Zana from Yobe described Shettima as “selfish,” lamenting that loyal party members from other states now feel abandoned.

“Our members are like orphans; they have no one to run to,” he said. In Bauchi, Hajia Hadiza Aliyu issued a stark warning: “President Tinubu must choose between Shettima and the North-East votes. The Vice President has monopolised every benefit meant for the zone.”

Jonathan Albert from Taraba shared similar sentiments, saying many party loyalists have already begun defecting to other political platforms due to the perceived neglect.

“The last zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe was a clear sign. Only Borno endorsed Shettima’s continuation as Vice President. Other states refused,” he stated. In Adamawa, Mr. Michael Zira from Michika LGA described Shettima as increasingly unpopular in the North-East.

“Aside from Borno, there is no tangible development that Shettima has brought to the rest of the region,” he said, adding: “President Tinubu must act now to salvage the situation.”

The stakeholders urged President Tinubu to make a decisive choice to protect the APC’s standing in the North-East ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that keeping Shettima as running mate could lead to widespread voter apathy and electoral defeat in the zone.