By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections to embrace party unity and avoid actions capable of destabilising the ruling party if they lose in the primaries.
Speaking during a meeting with party stakeholders in Abuja, Shettima stressed that internal cohesion remains the backbone of the APC’s electoral strength, warning that post-primary grievances have historically weakened political parties across Nigeria. “Politics is a game of numbers and maturity,” he said. “If the outcome of the primaries does not favour you, it should not become a justification to undermine the party that gave you a platform.”
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The Vice President urged aspirants to see the contest as a family affair, noting that the APC must avoid the pitfalls that have plagued opposition parties in the past. According to him, “Our collective ambition must outweigh individual desires. The APC is bigger than any single aspirant, and its survival depends on our ability to manage victory and defeat with equal grace.”
Shettima’s remarks come amid rising political activities and permutations within the APC as aspirants begin consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 polls. While the party leadership has yet to release a formal timetable for primaries, early jostling for positions across states has intensified, raising concerns about possible internal rifts.
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The Merit Newspaper reports that political analysts say the Vice President’s warning is a preemptive move to forestall post-primary defections and anti-party activities, which have, in previous election cycles, cost major parties significant electoral advantages. The APC itself has not been immune to such challenges, particularly in tightly contested states where parallel interests often emerge after candidate selection.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to party discipline, Shettima called on leaders at all levels to set the tone for peaceful engagement. “Leadership is about sacrifice and restraint,” he added. “We must close ranks after the primaries and present a united front to Nigerians, because that is the only way we can retain their trust.”
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As Nigeria gradually inches toward another election season, the Vice President’s message underscores a familiar but critical theme in the country’s political landscape—party unity as a prerequisite for electoral success.
