This omission was perceived as a deliberate snub and fueled speculation of a plot to drop Shettima from the ticket, possibly to replace him with another candidate for strategic electoral reasons.
The meeting, intended to reaffirm support for Tinubu and Shettima, turned disorderly when Shettima’s supporters confronted Salihu physically after his speech excluded Shettima.
The host governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also did not openly endorse Shettima, further raising suspicions of a hidden agenda within the party’s Northeast leadership. Despite the tension, some party officials like Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori publicly endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket to calm the situation.
The reluctance to endorse Shettima is linked to internal party calculations aimed at maximizing votes, including rumors that Tinubu might replace Shettima with a candidate who could attract non-Muslim voters or a Muslim from the North with a larger following.
This has created a divide within the APC, with some leaders and delegates expressing disappointment and accusing the party leadership of disloyalty to Shettima, who has served the party and president faithfully.
