Tinubu Retains Shettima for 2027 Election Amid Calm

On July 10, 2023, Bola Tinubu officially announced that Kashim Shettima would remain his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. This decision contrasts sharply with the backlash faced in July 2022 when Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), selected Shettima, leading to widespread condemnation from churches, civil society organizations, and opposition parties.

The Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria criticized the ticket for being insensitive to Nigeria's religious diversity, while prominent APC members like Babachir Lawal and Yakubu Dogara openly opposed it. In 2022, the controversy sparked nationwide protests and resignations from the ruling party.

However, in 2026, the announcement of Shettima's candidacy was met with minimal criticism, indicating a significant shift in the political landscape. Political scientist Femi Owolabi noted that the incumbency of Tinubu and Shettima has altered the political calculus, resulting in a calmer response compared to the previous election cycle.