Eric Patrick
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified why Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name was not mentioned during the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Addressing the controversy on Politics Today on Channels Television, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, said the omission was in line with party norms and constitutional procedure—not a slight on the Vice President.
Salihu explained that the endorsement, made at the APC North-East stakeholders’ summit in Gombe on Sunday, was solely focused on the presidential ticket, which traditionally involves the party’s standard-bearer alone.
“In my full speech—specifically in the last paragraph before the endorsement—I praised Vice President Shettima, acknowledged him as our son, and affirmed our support for him as people of the North-East,” Salihu said.
He added: “I also appreciated the National Security Adviser and other North-East appointees, thanking Asiwaju [Tinubu] for recognising our region. Only then did I move to endorse him as the party’s sole presidential candidate.”
READ ALSO: Tinubu Endorsement Turns Chaotic at APC North-East Summit Over Shettima Snub
Salihu further explained that party endorsements at this stage of the political process do not typically include running mates.
“In party politics, particularly during the primaries, only one candidate is endorsed for the presidency. The choice of a running mate comes after the primaries, and it’s the constitutional prerogative of the presidential candidate,” he said.
He noted that while consultations may occur, the endorsement of a joint ticket does not exist within the party’s constitutional framework until after a nominee emerges.