Ahead of the 2027 Presidential election in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu on Friday finally submitted the name of Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate ending months of speculation.

There have been speculations that the President may drop his current deputy over some political calculations.

Shettima’s return was perceived to be threatened, especially as some stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even in the North East, failed to endorse him.

Those angling for change of running mate had also touted that the President might replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his Vice-Presidential candidate.

However, on Friday Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, submitted the nomination forms for Tinubu and Shettima to APC leaders at Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Among those who attended the meeting are Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).

The submission formally confirms Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.