2027: Northern Power Blocs Eye VP Shettima’s Seat -

for almost a year, been asking Tinubu to pick his deputy from the zone in 2027 if he wants their support.

But Salihu said the North-East was ready to do everything to retain the vice-presidential slot.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Salihu said, “Emphatically and categorically, we will not relinquish the VP slot to another zone. This is a federation. Every region has the right to aspire, to look for what they think is theirs. But we believe we are right and should be the rightful beneficiary of that (VP) slot.

“We are going to hold on to it and do everything to retain this seat through political consensus. Even with the North-Central, we are going to sit with them and show them the reason they should allow and support us in keeping the VP.”

Salihu explained that there was no ill intention in not mentioning Shettima’s name when he declared the adoption of Tinubu for a second term at the meeting.

He said he was merely carrying out the resolution of the NWC.

“Nobody comes into a primary election with a running mate. They come individually. After securing the ticket, the candidate then picks his running mate. So, in line with that, the National Working Committee at the summit in Abuja passed the resolution to adopt Tinubu as our sole candidate.

“As North-East Zone Chairman, and also a member of the NWC, I only reaffirmed and adopted the endorsement earlier made by the NWC. So, there’s no harm intended.”

‘Tinubu must not drop Shettima’

Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives has cautioned President Tinubu to think carefully before making up his mind on whether to stick or part ways with Shettima.

The federal lawmaker declared that without the political reach of the VP, the President couldn’t have won the 2023 election after securing the flag of the APC at an elective convention in Abuja.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH in confidence, the lawmaker, who hails from the northern part of the country, credited Shettima for the support Tinubu got in that part of the country two years ago.

He said, “If he (Tinubu) retains Shettima, he will reduce internal rancour and sabotage in the north. If he drops him, he will widen the scope of his challenges.

“Without Shettima, the President couldn’t have won the election in 2023. We know the key roles played by Shettima and other northern stakeholders. He built bridges across parties and leveraged them to get the required percentages for the APC presidential ticket.

“Shettima used members of the opposition in so many instances and places to secretly work against their parties’ interests in their states.”

Regardless of who the President runs with, the lawmaker warned that he would not find it easier “this time around.”