The National Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, has said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election offers no electoral advantage to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Mohammed also claimed that President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, currently wields more influence in the administration than the Vice President.
He made the remarks in an interview on Sunday while reacting to President Tinubu’s announcement that Shettima would remain his running mate for the 2027 election.
According to Mohammed, the decision did not come as a surprise because the APC had chosen to follow a familiar path.
“Ordinarily, some people would have expected the President to pick someone who is more formidable or someone who could bring more votes to the ticket. But to us, it is a familiar route,” he said.
The Kwankwasiyya spokesman argued that Nigerians, particularly those in the North, have now assessed the Muslim Muslim ticket based on the performance of the current administration.
“When the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced, many people, especially in the North, defended it because it meant something to them. Today, people have seen what that arrangement looks like, and I believe the Muslims themselves are making those judgments,” he said.
Mohammed claimed that retaining Shettima was more about the President’s personal convenience than electoral strategy.
“We believe picking him is also a convenience for the President. As far as the President is concerned, his son is even much more powerful in this government than Shettima himself. Those who see that believe the President is simply picking him for his convenience, not because of what he feels Shettima is going to add,” he said.
He maintained that the decision would not improve the APC’s electoral prospects.
“I don’t think it is a plus, but to us it is okay because we know very well that we have to do something different for the progress and development of the nation,” he said.
Mohammed also argued that religion would no longer be a deciding factor for many voters.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket deceived so many people, especially those from the North, during the last election. But it ended in disappointment. I don’t think it will be an advantage again.
“People have realised that it is not about religion. It is about competence, sincerity and what you intend to do. Governance is about solving people’s problems irrespective of who is affected.”
He questioned Shettima’s contribution to the Tinubu administration, saying many Nigerians could not identify any significant impact made by the Vice President.
“If you want to measure Shettima’s contribution to this government, it is difficult because he has not been given the opportunity to contribute, even if he can,” he said.
According to Mohammed, the Vice President has largely been limited to representing the government at public events.
“I think the administration has a special role for him. Whenever they feel someone needs to speak, they send him there to do the talking, and that’s all,” Mohammed said.
He further argued that the administration has not addressed key challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
“Insecurity has not improved in the northern part of the country, not even in his own home state. Poverty is still there, the numbers have not changed, and you cannot really point to what he has done to alter the situation.”
Mohammed said many people across the region remain disappointed with the performance of the administration.
“As far as the electorate are concerned, starting from his home state to the entire North, I don’t think anybody can confidently say this is what the Vice President has done to help the government or improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians who continue to struggle with insecurity and other challenges,” he said.
