Kwankwasiyya movement reacts to Shettima’s retention as Tinubu’s running mate, says president’s son, Seyi, is ‘more powerful’ than VP

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has said President Bola Tinubu’s retention of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election will not give him any electoral advantage, adding that the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, currently wields more power than the VP.

​This position was disclosed on Sunday by the National Spokesperson of the movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, during an interview with Daily Post.

​He was reacting to an announcement made on Friday by President Tinubu that Shettima would remain his running mate for the next election.

​He, however, added that the decision was not surprising because the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had chosen to follow a familiar path.

​“Ordinarily, some people would have expected the President to pick someone who is more formidable or someone who could bring more votes to the ticket. But to us, it is a familiar route”, he said.

​Mohammed also argued that Nigerians, particularly those in the North, had already assessed the Muslim–Muslim ticket based on the experience of the current administration.

​“When the Muslim–Muslim ticket was introduced, many people, especially in the North, defended it because it meant something to them. Today, people have seen what that arrangement looks like, and I believe the Muslims themselves are making those judgements”, he said.

​He noted that retaining Shettima was more about the President’s convenience than an electoral strategy.

​“We believe picking him is also a convenience for the President. As far as the President is concerned, his son is even much more powerful in this government than Shettima himself. Those who see that believe the President is simply picking him for his convenience, not because of what he feels Shettima is going to add”, he said.

​Mohammed went on to argue that religion would no longer be a deciding factor for many voters.

​“The Muslim–Muslim ticket deceived so many people, especially those from the North, during the last election. But it ended in disappointment. I don’t think it will be an advantage again.

​“People have realised that it is not about religion. It is about competence, sincerity and what you intend to do. Governance is about solving people’s problems irrespective of who is affected.”

​He questioned Shettima’s contribution to the Tinubu administration, noting that Nigerians could not point to any significant impact made by the Vice President.

​According to him, the former Borno State governor has largely been limited to representing the government at public events.

​He also argued that the administration had not addressed key challenges facing the North, stressing that people across the region remained disappointed with the performance of the government.