The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports circulating in parts of the media suggesting a possible replacement for Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, described the reports as “purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.”

The clarification followed a wave of media commentary and political speculation in recent weeks, during which the names of several senior party figures and political office-holders were floated publicly as potential alternatives to Vice President Shettima on the APC’s 2027 presidential ticket.

Although the reports did not cite official party sources, they gained traction across traditional and social media, fuelling debate about the composition of the APC’s future presidential ticket.

Morka cautioned media organisations against lending credibility to rumour-mongers and what he described as mischievous news sources, whose sole objective, he said, is to promote discord and sow confusion within the polity.

The APC stressed that, in line with existing laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force, noting that the party is not engaged in any discussions relating to the 2027 elections at this time.

The APC maintained that it remains fully focused on supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching bold reforms that are “steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.”

The party further called on its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders to avoid actions or comments—whether deliberate or inadvertent—that could fuel unnecessary speculation.

All officials, the APC said, should instead concentrate on their primary responsibility of diligent service to government and the party, while strengthening and promoting the achievements of the Tinubu-led administration.