2027: Tinubu-Shettima Partnership Has Proven Doubters Wrong, Says Bankole

A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aare Hon. Tolu Bankole, has said the working relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima has disproved predictions that the partnership would not endure.

Bankole said the President’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election reflects confidence in a partnership that has delivered stability, continuity and effective governance.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the APC chieftain said the Tinubu-Shettima ticket was subjected to intense criticism before the 2023 general election, with many questioning its capacity to lead the country and manage its diversity.

“From the very beginning, this ticket was subjected to unprecedented scrutiny, doubts and outright hostility. Many predicted that the pairing would not work. Some questioned the character, the chemistry and the capacity of the partnership to steer Nigeria through difficult times. Three years on, those predictions have been proven wrong,” he said.

Bankole recalled that much of the criticism centred on issues of religious balancing, regional cohesion and the ability of both leaders to work harmoniously in government.

According to him, the Vice President has justified the confidence reposed in him by playing key roles in the implementation of government programmes and supporting the administration’s reform agenda.

“Today, Vice President Kashim Shettima has beaten those odds. He has shown competence in coordinating critical economic and social interventions. He has shown character in standing firm with the President on tough but necessary reforms. And he has shown humility in carrying out his duties without seeking the spotlight, always putting the interest of the nation first,” Bankole stated.

He noted that since assuming office, Shettima has chaired meetings of the National Economic Council, led humanitarian and poverty alleviation initiatives and represented Nigeria in strategic diplomatic engagements aimed at advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The APC National Working Committee member described the Vice President as “more than a constitutional spare tyre,” saying he has served as “a partner in governance, a stabilising force and a bridge between government and critical stakeholders at the state and grassroots levels.”

Bankole said President Tinubu’s decision to continue with Shettima sends a reassuring signal about the administration’s commitment to policy consistency and institutional stability.

“It means stability for the ongoing programmes and policies of this administration. It means that the fiscal reforms, infrastructure drive, security architecture and social investment plans will continue with the same team that designed and started them. It means Nigerians can expect consistency, not confusion; consolidation, not experiment,” he said.

He added that the partnership would strengthen the implementation of government priorities ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in the areas of food security, job creation, the digital economy and national security.

“As we move forward, this administration needs unity of purpose at the very top. What President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have built is a model of mutual respect and shared responsibility. It is a partnership that Nigerians can trust to deliver,” he added.

Bankole urged APC members, government officials and Nigerians to support the administration in delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“As we celebrate this renewed vote of confidence, let us commit to supporting the government to build a Nigeria where no child is left behind, no community is forgotten and no reform is abandoned halfway,” he said.