The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculations that the party is set to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

The party, in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said reports of a possible replacement are false and utterly baseless.

The APC spokesperson added that certain reports that outlined specific names as possible replacements for Shettima are purely speculative news sponsored by mischievous politicians.

Morka also called on stakeholders, including Ministers, senior government and Party officials, to avoid stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and the APC.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about the possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great Party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacements for Vice President Shettima.

“Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue, and utterly baseless.

“We urge media organizations to refrain from lending their platforms to rumour-peddlers and mischievous ‘news sources’ of questionable provenance whose only intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity.

“Under our laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force. At this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people.

“We call on our ministers, senior government and Party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party, and bolster the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.”