Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned political actors against actions that could fracture party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging leaders, aspirants, and supporters to conduct themselves with restraint and maturity during the emerging political season.

In a strongly worded reflection on the build-up to party primaries on Wednesday, Shettima said while the flurry of consultations and mobilisation across wards and party structures underscored the vibrancy of Nigeria’s democracy, it also carried the risk of internal divisions if not properly managed.

He warned against equating political competition with hostility, noting that disagreement should not be misconstrued as betrayal or exclusion.

“A political party is not a battlefield; it is a family. Even in the most spirited family, the roof must never be pulled down because one room appears warmer than another,” he said.

The Vice President stressed that democracy was designed to “civilise ambition,” allowing stakeholders to compete without destroying the platform that gives them relevance.

He cautioned party members against being swayed by misinformation, vested interests, and divisive narratives, saying such tendencies were often deployed to create suspicion and weaken political structures ahead of elections.

According to him, the real test of political strength lies beyond party primaries, noting that while primaries produce candidates, only unity can secure victory at the general election.

“A fractured party may produce a candidate, but only a united party can produce victory,” Shettima stated.

He emphasised the importance of inclusivity and respect for all stakeholders, describing every member, leader, delegate, and supporter as critical to the party’s success.

MEANWHILE, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said he is not losing sleep about the opposition parties in the 2027 presidential election against the APC.

APC, according to him, will triumph in the end despite apparent opposition, adding that there are always people who do not share the majority view, which is good in a democracy.

Yilwatda spoke yesterday in Jos at the Renewed Hope for Youth Empowerment Programme, which he powered, where over 2,000 beneficiaries received cash and equipment during the flag-off of the Massive Youth Grant Scheme.

The national chairman, who was optimistic that President Bola Tinubu would triumph as the next President in the 2027 presidential elections, said that the APC has put its house in order and cannot be dismantled by the supposed opposition parties.