*Says “We Lose Our Hearing When Applause Becomes Our Only Source Of Information”
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that internal divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress pose a greater threat to the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi or the wider opposition.
Shettima spoke on Saturday in Abuja while unveiling the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju and formally inaugurating the northern coalition’s campaign structure in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The group operates across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Vice President told party leaders that the APC’s greatest danger could come from disagreements and competing interests within its own ranks rather than from opposition parties.
“Honestly, I am not afraid of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. I am not afraid of a diminished Peter Obi. But I am more afraid of internal contradictions within our household. If we unite as a people, as a family, we will conquer,” Shettima said.
He therefore urged APC leaders and supporters to close ranks ahead of the elections, warning particularly against a situation in which party members campaign for Tinubu at the presidential level while working against APC governors or other candidates at the state level.
“There is no point in championing the cause of the presidential election and then undermining the governor in the gubernatorial election. Honestly, it will not go down well with the system,” he said.
“Let’s rally round our governors. Let’s rally round our members of the National Assembly. Let’s rally round President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and see to the victory in the next round of elections.”
Shettima also declared that, in his assessment, the North had already indicated its political direction ahead of the polls.
“By now, I believe the North has spoken. We have spoken with a resounding voice and unmistakable conviction. From Adamawa to Zamfara, from Borno to Niger, we have spoken,” he said.
He nevertheless acknowledged that such political support could not be treated as unconditional, saying public officeholders had an obligation to justify the confidence being placed in them through performance and accountability. A separate account of the event quoted him as saying growing northern support was “not a blank check” and must be earned through transparency and measurable results.
With the election approaching, Shettima said the administration and APC must return to Nigerians to seek a fresh mandate while acknowledging that considerable work remained to be done.
“In less than 100 days, Nigerians will return to the polls. Democracy requires us to seek their confidence again, with humility about the work outstanding and conviction about the cause we have chosen,” he said.
Turning specifically to Atiku, Shettima urged APC campaigners to confront the former Vice President politically without abandoning respect.
“Go and perform. Go and defeat Baba Atiku. Defeat him respectfully,” he said.
The Vice President also argued that the APC possessed an extensive grassroots structure capable of covering polling units nationwide.
“There are 176,845 polling units across the country. The APC, from ward to local government levels, has 361,045 officials. What it means is that we can match every polling unit two to two,” he said.
Shettima stressed that political appointments alone would not be enough, insisting that officeholders must demonstrate that they have genuine political influence in their communities.
“Politics is still local,” he said, explaining that he had asked the Borno State governor to compile a list of political appointees connected to the state so their performances could be assessed at their polling units, wards and local governments.
He also presented the APC’s current position in northern Nigeria as evidence of the party’s strength, saying 18 of the region’s 19 states were aligned with the ruling party.
He further referred to defections involving federal lawmakers from Kano and said the state governor was now with the APC. These were political claims made by the Vice President in arguing that the ruling party had expanded its northern coalition ahead of the elections.
Despite defending the administration, Shettima acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting many Nigerians and warned government officials against allowing political applause to prevent them from recognising the hardship experienced by households.
“Every household struggling to make ends meet reminds us how much remains to be done,” he said.
“We lose our hearing when applause becomes our only source of information.”
The Vice President, however, defended Tinubu’s economic record, maintaining that the administration inherited an economy facing severe fiscal and foreign-exchange pressures.
He claimed that when Tinubu took office, usable foreign reserves were extremely low while Ways and Means financing had exceeded ₦27 trillion.
“Nigeria was on the road to Caracas. The economy was teetering on the brink of collapse. He literally saved the nation,” Shettima said.
He further claimed that foreign reserves had since risen to about $58.9 billion, presenting the figure as evidence that the administration’s economic reforms were yielding results.
Shettima assured northern supporters that the region had no reason to fear another Tinubu administration.
“For the North, we have absolutely nothing to fear in a Tinubu second term. He has the North at heart,” he said.
At the event, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also moved a motion endorsing Tinubu’s return and asked participants to affirm their support.
“Today is a time for us to renew a mandate that was largely supported by the North, and the North again will largely support the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term,” Yilwatda said.
He cited infrastructure projects, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maiduguri roads, as part of the administration’s case for continued northern support.
Director-General of Arewa for Asiwaju and former Jigawa State governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar said the campaign headquarters, located at No. 4 Port Harcourt Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, was intended to demonstrate the seriousness of the coalition’s mobilisation effort.
“Let it be understood that this building is more than just a campaign office. It is a message. It says that Arewa is serious,” Badaru said.
He promised that the organisation would conduct a peaceful and issue-based campaign, taking its message to markets, farms, campuses, mosques and churches.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
