By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday formally unveiled its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, with President Bola Tinubu retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
The party also expressed confidence of securing victory at the polls, citing its over 12 million verified members and what it described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
The completed nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were presented to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at a ceremony held at the Ladi Kwali International Conference Centre of the Abuja Continental Hotel for onward submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, submitted the forms on behalf of the President.
The event was attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, as well as members of the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and APC state chairmen.
Speaking at the event, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, described the presentation of the nomination forms as the culmination of a transparent primary process.
“The presidential flag bearer emerged through a thoroughly transparent primary process,” Argungu said, while urging party members to remain united and committed ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reaffirming the governors’ support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, Uzodimma said the transparent conduct of the party’s primaries had strengthened confidence in the candidates.
“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” he said.
The Imo governor said the APC remained committed to internal democracy and pledged that its governors would work to secure victory for the party in the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” Uzodimma added.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the Tinubu-Shettima ticket reflected the wishes of the party’s more than 12 million verified members.
“Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature. We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him,” he said.
Yilwatda cited the Federal Government’s student loan programme, agricultural interventions and ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of the administration’s performance, urging party members to campaign with facts rather than political rhetoric.
“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones,” he said.
He also maintained that the APC enjoyed an institutional advantage over other political parties through its fully digitalised membership register.
“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes,” Yilwatda said.
Expressing confidence ahead of the election, the APC chairman declared that the party’s victory was inevitable.
“Go and tell the leader of our party (President Tinubu) that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing. As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” he said.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka confirmed that Vice President Shettima would remain President Tinubu’s running mate.
“The presidential candidate of the party is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our vice-presidential candidate is Senator Kashim Shettima,” Morka said.
