After chaos broke out during the All Progressives Congress (APC) North East Zonal Consultative Meeting in Gombe last Sunday — when the National Vice Chairman (North East), Hon. Mustapha Salihu, endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima — the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, says there’s no cause for alarm.
Dalori made it clear that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket is not up for negotiation, noting that there’s no credible basis for replacing Shettima in the 2027 race. He made these comments in an interview with journalists in Gombe on Monday, following the fracas that disrupted the meeting.
He explained that while some members may be aggrieved by Salihu’s action, their disagreement will not undermine the unity and stability of the APC in the North East or the country as a whole. Dalori stressed, “Sometimes, we may agree and sometimes we may differ — but we remain a strong family.”
He further commended the National Chairman, Hon. Umar Ganduje, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), ministers, state and federal lawmakers, and the party’s local government leaders who came together to unanimously endorse President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for a second term in 2027.
“Yes, some aggrieved members hurled chairs and other objects in protest after Hon. Salihu’s comments, but this kind of disagreement is normal in politics — we can agree to differ and still move forward together as a team. Let me assure everyone that we’re on top of the situation, and we’re more united and stronger than ever.”
He called on all APC supporters and members to remain calm and avoid distractions, adding that the party’s leadership is fully committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
