Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that such a decision could jeopardize Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
Shittu, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, issued the warning during an interview on AIT’s Focus Nigeria.
His remarks come amid ongoing speculation that President Tinubu may consider a new running mate for the next election cycle.
While the presidency has dismissed these claims, maintaining that decisions regarding the 2027 ticket would be addressed at the appropriate time, Shittu defended Shettima’s performance and position.
“Shettima was not nominated as vice president because of whatever cleavage he had with ANPP, on his own merit he got it. Shettima as a person merits it, so to start clinching on history is not part of it,” he said.
Shittu continued, “I would vote for Shettima any day because he merits it, he is a very intelligent vice president. I don’t know what he has done for people to think that he would act differently. I don’t think Shettima deserves any prevarication on his continuity in Tinubu’s team. If there are any such suggestions from any quarters, I think we must be very careful about it.”
Speaking directly on the implications of replacing Shettima, Shittu warned, “It would bring a lot of disruptions if that move is made and it could endanger the possibility of Tinubu’s second presidency. They must continue, you don’t punish anybody for doing anything wrong.”
