A FORMER member of the APC National Working Committee, legal scholar and public affairs analyst, Dr. Umar D. Duhu, has dismissed as baseless and destabilising recent speculation suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may replace Vice President Kashim Shettima with the Minister of Defence and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as his running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria titled “A Call to Reason: Quashing Baseless Speculations and Divisive Narratives,” Duhu described the claims as a dangerous distraction capable of inflaming political tensions and undermining Nigeria’s democratic stability.
According to him, the narrative represents a classic case of misinformation driven by petty politics rather than facts, warning Nigerians to reject what he termed “divisive, unpatriotic and reckless speculation.”
Duhu argued that President Tinubu, whom he described as a seasoned politician and strategic thinker, would not take any step that could fracture his administration, destabilise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), or alienate critical political blocs.
“It is patently absurd to suggest that President Tinubu would deliberately sabotage his own administration by replacing his Vice President, a fellow APC stalwart and respected leader from the North-East,” he said.
He noted that removing Shettima would not only undermine internal party cohesion but could also have far-reaching national consequences, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic and security challenges.
Duhu also rejected claims circulating alongside the speculation that Nigerian Christians have been marginalised under Tinubu’s administration, describing such assertions as “gross distortions of fact” lacking empirical evidence.
He stressed that leadership should not be reduced to religious or ethnic arithmetic, but rather assessed on competence, vision and performance.
“Power is a sacred trust, not something to be seized through manipulation or identity politics,” Duhu said, adding that silence from any group should not be misinterpreted as weakness or exclusion.
Addressing the suggestion that General Christopher Musa could be drafted into partisan politics as a vice-presidential candidate, Duhu described the idea as premature and ill-conceived.
While acknowledging the general’s distinguished military career, he argued that politics requires a fundamentally different skill set, developed through years of political engagement and grassroots interaction.
“With all due respect, General Musa is not a seasoned politician accustomed to the complexities and unwritten rules of Nigerian politics,” he said. “Politics is not a game of musical chairs.”
He added that leading the military and navigating the nation’s political terrain are entirely different responsibilities, cautioning against conflating military excellence with political suitability.
Duhu urged Nigerians and the APC to redirect attention to urgent national priorities such as economic recovery, insecurity and governance reforms, rather than indulging in speculative narratives that could polarise the country.
He warned that continued peddling of such rumours could have dire consequences, noting that misinformation has the potential to ignite divisions that may be difficult to control.
“Enough is enough. Let the sleeping dog lie,” he cautioned, adding that those deliberately spreading falsehoods should be held accountable.
In conclusion, the APC Chieftain reiterated his confidence that President Tinubu would not make any move to replace Vice President Shettima, insisting that the rumour has no basis in political reality.
He called on political actors, commentators and the media to act responsibly, emphasising that Nigeria’s future depends on unity, merit and constructive engagement rather than fear-mongering and manipulation.