The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running-mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential election.

The names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were officially submitted to the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with electoral requirements.

The submission was made on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, at a brief ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen of the party and some party’s governorship candidates.

Speaking during the event, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, said the occasion marked the formal submission of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He recalled that President Tinubu had earlier emerged as the party’s presidential flag bearer through a transparent primary process and urged party members to remain united behind the leadership calling on members to continue supporting the party and praying for Nigeria,

Argunhu particularly expressed appreciation to the President for what he described as the positive strides of his administration.

The National Organizing Secretary thereafter presented the names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to the party’s National Chairman for onward processing.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, who spoke on behalf of the governors, reaffirmed their unwavering support for the President and the APC leadership.

“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” he said.

Uzodimma pledged the governors’ loyalty to the APC, describing it as a party guided by internal democracy and inclusiveness.

“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” he added.

In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the event as a reflection of the confidence reposed in President Tinubu by millions of party members.

“Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature. We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him,” he said.

Yilwatda highlighted some of the administration’s achievements, including the student loan scheme, which he said had benefited over 1.5 million students, agricultural interventions and infrastructure projects across the country.

He urged Alhaji Ibrahim Masari to convey a message of confidence to the President.

“Go and tell the leader of our party that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing,” he said.

The APC chairman charged party members and supporters to return to their communities and promote the achievements of the Tinubu administration with verifiable facts.

“While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones,” he stated.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 elections, Yilwatda said the APC remained the only political party with a verified membership register.

“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes.”

“As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” he declared.