Where Is Shettima?: 2027 Political Chess Moves Begin as Tinubu Allegedly Discards Shettima in Ruthless Second-Term Strategy

 

The drama surrounding Nigeria’s seat of power has taken a sharp turn as Vice President Kashim Shettima appears to be caught in the political crossfire of President Bola Tinubu’s unfolding second-term strategy. Once positioned as a strong partner on the APC presidential ticket in 2023, Shettima’s influence is now rapidly eroding, raising concerns about the relevance and dignity of the vice presidential office in Nigeria’s political structure.

Back in August 2022, when Shettima confidently addressed the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Lagos, few could have imagined the irony that would soon trail his words. Proclaiming his readiness to lead security operations while assigning economic leadership to Tinubu, he sounded more like a co-president than a deputy. His bold declaration shocked many legal minds in attendance and revealed a misreading of Nigeria’s constitutional architecture, where the president alone holds the commander-in-chief role.

Fast-forward two years, and the very ambitions he projected now appear to have backfired. Shettima has been systematically edged out of the center of power, with reports emerging of him being sidelined from major decisions and allegedly even restricted from unhindered access to the presidential villa. While the Presidency publicly denied such claims in April, the denials did little to sway public opinion. For those familiar with Nigerian politics, the signals are all too familiar and unsettling.

Matters came to a head recently at the APC stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe. The event, which was expected to solidify party unity, quickly descended into controversy. Party bigwigs, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and North-East Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu, publicly declared Tinubu as the party’s unchallenged presidential candidate for 2027. Notably, Shettima’s name was absent from the endorsement. The backlash from party delegates was immediate and fierce, forcing officials to be escorted out of the venue under tense circumstances.

Even a hasty attempt by Bukar Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North), to pair Tinubu and Shettima in a late endorsement failed to calm tensions. It was clear to many that the damage had been done, and the message was loud and clear: Shettima’s future on the APC ticket is hanging by a thread, if not already severed.

The real architect of this move appears to be none other than President Tinubu himself. Known for his deep political playbook and unflinching approach to loyalty, Tinubu has long established a reputation for discarding subordinates once they outlive their usefulness or fall out of favor. As Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007, he cycled through three deputy governors, none of whom completed their terms alongside him without controversy.

This pattern seems to be repeating on a national scale. While Shettima initially portrayed himself as an indispensable co-pilot in the Tinubu administration, the reality has proven to be far more sobering. Despite the constitutional provision that places the vice president on critical national councils such as the National Security Council and the National Economic Council, practical influence depends entirely on the president’s willingness to delegate.

Unfortunately, Nigerian presidents have historically hoarded executive power, and Tinubu is proving to be no exception. His inaugural promises of inclusive governance and strict adherence to the rule of law have largely given way to a governance style critics describe as exclusionary and autocratic. For Tinubu, politics remains a zero-sum affair, and Shettima may now be learning this the hard way.

This evolving political tension has sparked wider debate about the necessity of the vice presidency itself. Given how previous vice presidents, including Atiku Abubakar during the Obasanjo era, were politically emasculated despite constitutional provisions, many Nigerians are beginning to question whether the office serves any real purpose beyond ceremonial representation.

The cost of maintaining such an office is staggering, and the return on investment appears negligible if the occupant is perpetually sidelined. This raises uncomfortable but necessary questions: Why continue funding an office with no actual power? Why do ambitious politicians continue to lobby for vice presidential and deputy governor roles knowing fully well that they may be rendered politically impotent?

Shettima’s apparent fall from grace is a cautionary tale, not just about loyalty in politics but also about the fragility of power in a system dominated by strongmen who view subordinates as disposable assets. Even as rumors swirl and speculation grows about who might replace him on the 2027 ticket, his fate serves as a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of influence in Nigeria’s executive corridors.

The unfolding saga leaves Nigerians with more questions than answers. Yet, one thing seems certain: the road to 2027 will be riddled with calculated moves, ruthless pruning of political allies, and the continued erosion of trust in the supposed unity of the presidency.