Stakeholders protest as Vice President’s image is missing from banner
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing a fresh wave of internal tension following the controversial exclusion of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s photograph from an official event banner.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, party stakeholders and delegates in Maiduguri expressed deep anger after noticing the omission at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the party’s constitution. The banner, which was prominently displayed at the venue, featured the images of President Bola Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, but notably left out the nation’s number two citizen.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, led the protest, describing the act as a “disrespectful slight” against the Vice President. Addressing the gathering, Lawan expressed shock that such an omission could occur in Shettima’s home state and hometown. He warned the organizers that such actions are provocative and could lead to unnecessary friction within the ruling party as it prepares for future political engagements.
“Why would the Vice President‘s picture not be included in the banner?” Lawan queried during his address. “This was what created the fracas in Gombe, and it is repeating itself here in Borno. I do not know the motive of the organizers, but it is not right.” His remarks were met with thunderous applause from the delegates, reflecting a widespread sentiment of marginalization among the Vice President‘s core support base in the North-East.
Omission recalls previous friction in Gombe and 2027 ticket rumors
This latest incident has reignited memories of a similar controversy that occurred in June 2025 during a stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State. On that occasion, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, had publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term without acknowledging Shettima. The perceived snub led to a chaotic scene involving shouting matches and threats of violence, eventually forcing security operatives to escort party officials out of the venue to prevent a physical confrontation.
The recurring nature of these “omissions” has fueled persistent rumors regarding Shettima’s standing within the presidency and his future on the 2027 ticket. Some political observers suggest that these developments are not accidental but are instead “test balloons” by certain factions within the party who may be advocating for a change in the vice-presidential slot. There have been unconfirmed reports suggesting the possibility of the President picking a Christian running mate in the next election cycle to balance the controversial “Muslim-Muslim” ticket of 2023.
Despite the growing noise, the Presidency has consistently denied any rift between the President and the Vice President, describing such reports as “deliberate falsehoods.” APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, recently dismissed the speculations as “mischievous,” pointing out that Shettima remains a loyal and integral part of the administration. He argued that there is no basis for claims of marginalization, as the Vice President continues to carry out his constitutional duties with the full backing of the President.
Borno Speaker warns against destabilizing the party’s North-East base
Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan, who is the longest-serving Speaker in Nigeria‘s history, emphasized that Shettima remains the most prominent political leader from the North-East and a key asset to the APC. He warned that any attempt to “de-market” or sideline the Vice President would have negative repercussions for the party’s unity in the region. The Speaker urged the national leadership to investigate the “motive” behind the printing of the banner to ensure that those responsible for the oversight are held accountable.
The North-East Zonal Public Hearing was intended to be a platform for constructive dialogue on party reforms, but the photo controversy has largely overshadowed the administrative agenda. Governors and other high-ranking stakeholders present at the event have mostly remained silent on the issue, though the “undercurrent of resentment” among the grassroots members was palpable. The party’s ability to manage these optics will be crucial in maintaining a unified front as the 2027 election cycle begins to gain momentum.
As the delegates departed the venue in Maiduguri, the conversation remained centered on the need for “mutual respect” between the different arms of the party’s leadership. Many loyalists insisted that the Vice President’s image should be a permanent fixture in all party communications within the region. The APC must now work to heal these internal rifts and provide clarity on its leadership structure to avoid further public displays of discord in its traditional strongholds.
