Next Year: Tinubu to Hand Over APC Vice Presidential Ticket to Shettima

President Bola Tinubu formally presented the official certificate confirming Vice President Kashim Shettima's selection as the All Progressives Congress vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election in a ceremony at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday. The certificate was handed over to Shettima in a brief event held at Tinubu's office.

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In a 45-second video released by the State House media office, Shettima was seen entering Tinubu's office, accompanied by the President's Liaison Officer. This encounter marked a key moment in the electoral process, as the certificate presentation signified an important step forward for the APC's candidates.

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The ceremony took place just days after the APC submitted the nomination forms for both Tinubu and Shettima to the Independent National Electoral Commission, ahead of the commission's initial deadline of July 11, 2026. On July 10, the nomination forms were presented to the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.

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The forms were submitted on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari. According to the Electoral Act 2026, INEC had initially set July 11, 2026, as the deadline for submitting Forms EC9 and EC9A-EC9E for various candidates.

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However, INEC later extended the deadline to Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following pressure. The APC took this opportunity to formally submit the names of Tinubu and Shettima as its candidates for the upcoming poll.

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The APC's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, expressed confidence that the party would retain power in the 2027 general election. This optimism comes after Tinubu's victory at the APC's May 23 presidential primary, where he secured 10,999,162 votes.

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Tinubu's closest challenger, Stanley Osifo, garnered 16,503 votes at the primary. The 2027 presidential election is scheduled to take place on January 16, as outlined in the revised electoral timetable under the Electoral Act 2026.