Why I Endorsed Tinubu Without Mentioning Shettima – APC North-East Vice Chairman

The National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has explained why his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu did not include Vice President Kashim Shettima — a move that sparked speculations of internal discord within the ruling party.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Monday, Salihu clarified that the omission was in line with party tradition and constitutional practices, not an indication of any personal or political rift.

“In my full speech — particularly the last paragraph before the endorsement — I paid tribute to Kashim Shettima, described him as our son, and reaffirmed our support for him as people of the North-East,” Salihu stated.

He further expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointments given to the region, including the National Security Adviser and various ministerial slots. “I appreciated all these before proceeding to move for the endorsement of Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate,” he said.

‘Only One Candidate at the Primaries’

Addressing the rationale behind endorsing only the president, Salihu emphasized that within APC procedures, endorsements at the primary level focus solely on individual candidates — not joint tickets.

“In party politics, primaries are conducted for single elective positions. The constitution does not recognize a joint ticket at that stage. It’s only after a candidate emerges that a running mate is selected — a prerogative solely belonging to the flagbearer,” he explained.

This approach, he added, was also adopted by North-East governors like Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, who endorsed President Tinubu without formally endorsing the vice president, though they also praised Shettima as “our own.”

No Rift Between Tinubu and Shettima

Responding to speculations of a rift between Tinubu and Shettima, Salihu dismissed the claims as mere distractions peddled by “conflict entrepreneurs.”

“The running of a party doesn’t happen on social media or television. It’s internal,” he said. “There are always people who thrive on stoking friction between leaders. But in reality, the bond between the President and Vice President remains intact.”

On suggestions that the omission may have caused dissatisfaction within the North-East, Salihu disagreed.

“Anyone claiming there’s discontent is mistaken. I’ve met with stakeholders across Taraba, Bauchi, Yobe, and Gombe. We all worked late into the night before the summit, deliberating as a team,” he noted.

He stressed that while the region is proud of Vice President Shettima, it would have been inappropriate to attach conditions or presumptions to the presidential endorsement.

“We have no vice-presidential ticket to offer — only one ticket is up for endorsement: that of the president. Attempting to suggest who should be the running mate would be putting the cart before the horse,” he concluded.