VP Shettima Faces Uncertainty Over Re-Election Bid Amid Tinubu Leadership Questions
Vice President Kashim Shettima's prospects for re-nomination in 2027 are clouded by historical precedents from President Tinubu's tenure as Lagos governor, raising questions about political loyalty and succession.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima’s political future under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has come under scrutiny, with growing speculation over whether he will be re-nominated as running mate in the 2027 elections. According to analysis by Azu Ishiekwene in Vanguard News, Shettima has legitimate grounds for doubt, given Tinubu’s leadership patterns during his eight-year tenure as Lagos State governor.
Tinubu, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, appointed three different deputies over his two terms: Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Femi Pedro, and Abiodun Ogunleye. This pattern of rotating deputy governors stands in contrast to common political expectations of continuity, particularly in re-election bids. “Vice President Kashim Shettima cannot be blamed for having doubts about whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would renominate him as his running mate for a second term,” Ishiekwene wrote.
The Vanguard analysis draws attention to the precedent set by Tinubu at the state level, suggesting that past behavior may inform future decisions at the national level. Only Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State, matched the record of appointing multiple deputies—a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported on Shettima’s recent public comments regarding former President Muhammadu Buhari, though the outlet did not directly link these remarks to questions about his own re-nomination. The report notes that Shettima has “opened up” on Tinubu’s stance toward Buhari, but provides no further detail on how this relates to internal administration dynamics or succession planning.
With the 2027 election cycle approaching, political observers are watching closely to see whether Tinubu will break from his past precedent and support Shettima for a full second term. For now, Shettima’s position remains one of cautious uncertainty, shaped by the historical patterns of a president known for strategic political maneuvering.