President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of political speculation. The Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate decision confirms that the All Progressives Congress will contest the next election with its successful 2023 presidential ticket.

The ruling party submitted President Tinubu’s nomination forms on July 10, 2026, alongside Vice President Shettima’s completed nomination documents. APC leaders gathered at the Continental Hotel in Abuja to witness the formal submission ahead of preparations for the next election.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, officially presented the nomination forms during the high-profile party event in Abuja. Masari confirmed that President Tinubu had once again chosen Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential contest.

Political observers had spent months debating whether the APC would introduce changes to its presidential ticket before the election. Several reports linked different northern politicians with the vice-presidential position, fueling widespread discussions across political circles and social media.

Tinubu and Shettima first secured victory together during the 2023 presidential election, running on the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. Their partnership paired a southern Muslim presidential candidate with a northern Muslim vice-presidential candidate throughout the nationwide campaign.

Retaining the same ticket signals continuity within the ruling party as preparations for another fiercely contested presidential election continue gathering momentum. Party leaders believe the decision demonstrates confidence in the administration’s leadership and strengthens internal unity before nationwide campaigns begin.

Attention will now shift toward campaign strategies, policy priorities and opposition responses as political activities gradually intensify across the country. The Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate announcement marks another major milestone in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general election.