A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ismaeel Ahmed, has dismissed rumors of a rift between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Ahmed described the claims as “malicious rumors” and insisted that there was no substance to the reports suggesting discontent between the two top leaders.
Ahmed emphasised that there was trust between the President and the Vice President, stating, “It’s not true.
”I know it very well. Who is ever in a 100 per cent relationship with anyone? There is trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.”
He urged party members and Nigerians to focus on governance rather than political distractions.
The APC chieftain also dismissed rumors of a plan to replace Shettima as Vice President, stating, “I am absolutely aware there is no discussion about substituting the Vice President.
”There is no discussion about the vice president being blocked.” He described such claims as “rumours” and “absolutely rumours.”
Ahmed urged the party to focus on governance and delivering its mandate, rather than getting distracted by political rumors and speculations.
“We have a mandate from the people for four years. Two years have passed; we have one year to the primaries and two to the general elections. Let’s focus on governing,” he said.
The APC chieftain also clarified that the endorsement of President Tinubu by the party’s North-East summit did not signal internal friction but reflected APC traditions and the broader structure of national politics.
“We have a culture in the APC, and that culture is that the sitting president is not challenged; he is going to have his second-term ticket if he wants it,” Ahmed explained.
Ahmed stressed the need for the party to focus on governance and communicating effectively with the people, rather than getting distracted by political rumors and speculations.
“Let’s espouse the things we are doing right. We need to communicate with the people effectively.
”That should be the focus of the party and the government. Anything other than that is a distraction, ” he added.
