ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over whether the All Progressives Congress would replace him ahead of the polls.
The APC on Friday presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission before the commission’s deadline for political parties to nominate presidential and National Assembly candidates.
The move came as several political parties rushed to complete the upload of their candidates’ details on INEC’s online nomination portal ahead of the Saturday midnight deadline, while the electoral commission confirmed that some parties had already concluded the process and others were still making submissions.
The development effectively put to rest widespread reports that Tinubu could replace Shettima with a northern Christian running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
INEC said it had received the presidential and vice-presidential nominations of the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party.
Other political parties were also uploading the names of their candidates before the deadline.
The commission fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The nomination exercise, which began on June 27, covers Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E for presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
According to INEC’s timetable, political parties will begin uploading the names of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from July 18, with the process ending on August 8.
The commission is expected to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while governorship and state assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29 to allow members of the public to raise objections where necessary.
INEC also fixed August 22 as the deadline for the withdrawal or substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until September 19.
Presenting the nomination documents on behalf of the President, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, attended the ceremony alongside members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the APC National Working Committee, state party chairmen and governorship candidates.
Earlier, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the party’s duly completed nomination forms.
He urged members to remain united ahead of the 2027 election and commended the Tinubu administration for what he described as its achievements.
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ support for Tinubu and the party leadership.
“We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” Uzodimma said.
He added that the governors would continue mobilising support for the President across the country.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the President’s endorsement reflected the confidence reposed in him by party members.
He urged party leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign on the achievements of the administration ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, INEC said five political parties were yet to complete the submission of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates as of Friday.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said parties had until midnight on Saturday to complete the process.
“The deadline is still tomorrow; they have until 12 midnight tomorrow to upload,” Haruna said.
According to him, AA, AAC, ADC, NDC, PRP, SDP and YPP had submitted both presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while the Zenith Labour Party had only submitted its presidential candidate.
He added that APGA, the Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, APM and the Peoples Democratic Party were yet to submit their presidential tickets.
Haruna reiterated that only candidates who emerged from party primaries monitored by INEC would be accepted, warning political parties to comply with the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines.
