APC’s Internal Contradictions Scare Me More Than Atiku, Obi — Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said internal divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) concern him more than opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.

Shettima spoke on Saturday in Abuja while unveiling the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern coalition supporting the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and his vice-president.

“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,” he said.

The vice-president urged APC members to avoid actions that could undermine the party’s candidates at state and national levels, particularly in the North.

He warned political leaders against campaigning for the presidential ticket while weakening their governors’ chances in state elections.

“There is no point in championing the cause of the presidential election and then undermining the governor in the gubernatorial election,” Shettima said.

He called on party members to rally behind Tinubu, APC governors and members of the National Assembly, stressing the importance of coordination across the party’s political structures.

Shettima also urged party officials and political appointees to demonstrate their electoral strength at polling-unit, ward and local government levels.

He said the APC had an extensive organisational network across the country, arguing that party members needed to translate that structure into effective mobilisation.

The vice-president acknowledged that many Nigerians continued to face economic difficulties, saying the government must remain conscious of households struggling to meet their needs.

“Every household struggling to make ends meet reminds us how much remains to be done,” he said.

Shettima defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, including changes to the foreign exchange system and the removal of the petrol subsidy, while arguing that the government had inherited serious economic challenges.

The event formed part of political mobilisation efforts by supporters of Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The APC is seeking to retain the presidency amid opposition efforts to build political alliances and challenge the ruling party at the polls.