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The election of Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress has alleviated growing speculation about a rift between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, particularly concerns over Tinubu dropping his deputy as his running mate in 2027.
Before Yilwatda’s emergence, Naija News understands that rumours of a strained relationship between the President and his Vice intensified following the appointment of Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno State as acting chairman after Abdullahi Ganduje’s resignation.
According to Sunday Sun, party insiders believe the choice of a substantive chairman from the North Central zone signals a stabilising move for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the next general elections.
Observers say Yilwatda’s election strengthens APC’s zoning balance, which traditionally avoids concentrating power in one or two regions.
With Tinubu from the South-West, Shettima from the North-East, and now Yilwatda from the North Central, the arrangement is seen as equitable. Analysts argue this boosts Shettima’s chances of retaining the vice-presidential slot and consolidating his influence as the undisputed leader of the North-East zone.
Yilwatda, a Christian from North Central, is expected to help the party project inclusivity and address criticisms over its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
With Tinubu and Shettima as Muslims, Yilwatda’s emergence as APC chairman introduces a Christian leader into the party’s top hierarchy, potentially making the ruling party more appealing to Christian voters, especially in North Central states with significant Christian populations.
Ajomale Dismisses Rift Allegations
Reacting to the speculations, a close associate of the President and former APC Chairman in Lagos State, Henry Ajomale, dismissed claims of a frosty relationship between Tinubu and Shettima.
Speaking with Sunday Sun in a telephone interview, he said, “Since the former National Chairman, Abdulahi Adamu, is from the North Central, Nasarawa state precisely, it is only fair that the replacement must come from the zone to complete their tenure.
“We have been hearing rumour about a frosty relationship between Shettima and the President, but I don’t think so. A lot of things are being done to divide the APC by creating false information that there is a problem between the President and the Vice President, which I am aware doesn’t exist. If anybody wants to carry any rumour, I am not going to pass it over. All I know is that some people in ADC want to break the APC at all costs. I have not seen the evidence that there is a problem between the President and the Vice President. So, I still consider it as a rumour because I would have known if there is any crack between the President and the Vice President. It is a ploy to tarnish the image of the party and the Vice President.
“The aim of appointing the National Chairman from the North Central is to ensure that there is a balance in the power-sharing within the APC. At the last election, North Central contributed to the victory of Mr President because they voted massively for APC. Irrespective of the fact that majority of them are Christians and all the blackmails surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket to sway their votes in favour of either Peter Obi or someone else to block Asiwaju from becoming the President, they played their role well and they contributed a lot to the success of APC in that election. To compensate them, they deserve to fill the vacant position of National Chairman. Even in the next election, their vote is very critical in winning the election.
“For me, I think their concern has been taken care of. The South-South too has been taken care of by the Senate President. And, of course, the North-East by the Vice President. I think everybody is happier now.”
The post ‘We Have Been Hearing Rumour About A Frosty Relationship Between Shettima, Tinubu’ – Ajomale appeared first on Naija News.
