Vice President Shettima urges northern voters to back Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election, citing past support

Vice President Kashim Shettima used a campaign launch in Kaduna on Saturday to call on eligible voters in northern Nigeria to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign launch, Shettima framed the appeal as a repayment for Tinubu’s long‑standing support of northern politicians and development initiatives.

Shettima highlighted Tinubu’s assistance to former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 campaigns, noting that the president “stood solidly behind” Buhari in both elections. He also recalled Tinubu’s earlier backing of former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar’s 2007 presidential bid after Atiku left the Peoples Democratic Party, and the support given to former National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu when he contested under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The deputy head of state maintained that the northern region's ongoing support for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress would be just and a source of pride, while calling on the area to once again endorse the party across all levels. He warned that the region’s future development depends on the administration’s continued ability to deliver on promised projects.

Background

Tinubu’s political career has been closely linked with northern alliances. During his tenure as a national leader of the APC, he is credited with mobilising support for Buhari’s successful bids for the presidency in 2015 and 2019. Shettima’s remarks echo earlier statements that Tinubu’s political capital in the north has been built through such collaborations.

In addition to political patronage, the Tinubu administration has overseen a series of infrastructure and educational projects in northern states, according to Shettima. Key illustrations mentioned comprised the founding of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, the transformation of the Federal University of Education in Zaria, and the opening of a state vocational institute in Rigachikun, all located in Kaduna State. Health infrastructure was also highlighted with the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan.

Infrastructure initiatives in the transport and power sectors were also highlighted, specifically the advancement of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, the Kano-Maradi railway line, the Lagos-Kano rail link, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway. Shettima added that work on the Sokoto‑Badagry highway was advancing, promising new opportunities for agricultural production across the country.

Why it matters

The appeal targets a large electorate in Nigeria’s northern region, a decisive bloc in national elections. By positioning the 2027 vote as a reciprocal act, Shettima seeks to consolidate APC support and secure Tinubu’s second term, which would allow the continuation of the cited development programmes.

If the north delivers the promised votes, the Tinubu administration could maintain momentum on infrastructure projects that are framed as vital for economic growth, especially in agriculture and transport. Conversely, a failure to secure northern backing could jeopardise the president’s re‑election prospects and potentially stall or redirect ongoing projects.

Shettima’s statements also serve to reinforce party unity, urging “top‑to‑bottom” renewal of the APC’s mandate. The emphasis on past assistance to prominent northern figures such as Buhari and Atiku aims to remind voters of the political debts owed to the region.

What happens next

The APC’s campaign rollout in Kaduna marks the beginning of a broader outreach effort ahead of the 2027 elections, scheduled for early 2027. Shettima’s call for support is part of a coordinated strategy to mobilise northern voters in the months leading up to the poll. No specific dates for subsequent rallies or voter‑registration drives were disclosed in the sources, but the campaign launch suggests that further events will be organised across northern states to sustain the momentum.

The vice‑president’s appeal is likely to be echoed by other APC leaders as the party seeks to solidify its base. Monitoring the response of northern political figures and civil society groups will indicate how persuasive the repayment narrative proves in shaping voter behaviour.