Borno Speaker Protests Exclusion of Shettima’s Picture at APC Meeting

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has publicly protested what he described as the unfair omission of Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s image from a key banner displayed at the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East zonal public hearing in Maiduguri. The event, which convened party leaders and stakeholders from the region, was held as part of consultations on the proposed amendment of the APC constitution.

The large banner at the venue prominently featured a photograph of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside five APC governors from the North-East and the party’s National Legal Adviser. However, Shettima — who hails from Borno State and serves as Nigeria’s Vice-President — was noticeably absent from the display, prompting Lawan’s ire. “How can the organisers exclude the picture of a sitting Vice-President, who is from Borno and the North-East zone?” he asked, emphasising the symbolic importance of Shettima’s inclusion given the geography and audience.

Lawan’s remarks drew applause from party members and supporters at the meeting, many of whom shared his view that the omission was unnecessary and potentially divisive. He warned that the same issue had previously contributed to tensions at an APC zonal meeting in Gombe State, where failure to include Shettima’s endorsement during an endorsement segment sparked a minor fracas among delegates. That incident, which drew national attention, saw passionate demonstrations by some party members who felt the Vice-President was being sidelined in discussions over the 2027 presidential ticket.

Despite the protest, governors and key stakeholders from the North-East are actively participating in the zonal public hearing, which aims to engage party members ahead of constitutional amendments to the APC’s internal governance framework. The gathering includes high-ranking politicians and representatives of the party from across the six states of the region, highlighting the APC’s focus on inclusive consultation.

Party insiders note that Shettima’s position as Vice-President and a prominent leader from the North-East makes his representation at such events politically sensitive. Supporters argue that excluding his image — especially at an event held in his home state — could be interpreted as a slight or oversight, whether intentional or not. That sensitivity reflects broader debates within the party about leadership representation and unity as it approaches the 2027 general elections.

The APC’s internal dynamics over the joint presidential ticket of Tinubu and Shettima have been a recurring theme in recent zonal meetings. Previous consultations in the North-East saw delegates vocally assert the importance of endorsing both the presidential candidate and his running mate, underscoring the need for balanced regional representation in national politics.

In response to Lawan’s protest, some party members at the event echoed calls for greater sensitivity to regional pride and political symbolism, suggesting that organised political events should reflect the contributions of leaders from all zones, especially those holding high office. They argued that inclusivity in party displays can help reinforce unity and shared purpose ahead of competitive electoral contests.

As the zonal hearing continues, the dialogue around representation and acknowledgment within party structures is likely to remain an important topic, with leaders and members closely watching how the APC addresses these internal concerns in the run-up to national elections.