Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called for unity and restraint among political actors as activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum, warning against actions that could fracture structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday titled “2027: Don’t Pull Down the Roof,” Shettima acknowledged the resurgence of political consultations and maneuvering across the country, describing it as a sign of a thriving democracy.
“The political season is upon us again, and with it comes the familiar fever of democracy,” he said, noting that “the marketplace of ambition is alive once more.”
While affirming that competition is a natural part of democratic practice, the Vice President cautioned against allowing ambition to degenerate into internal conflict, stressing that political parties must remain cohesive despite differing interests.
“A political party is not a battlefield. It is a family. And even in the most spirited family, the roof must never be pulled down because one room appears warmer than another,” he stated.
Shettima warned party members against being swayed by divisive narratives, including misinformation and external interference, which he said are often deployed to create suspicion and weaken internal cohesion.
“We must therefore refuse the temptation to be manipulated by the media, by mischief-makers, by vested interests, or by those who profit from division,” he said.
The Vice President emphasised that while primary elections will determine candidates, the ultimate success of any party depends on its unity going into the general elections.
“A fractured party may produce a candidate, but only a united party can produce victory,” he noted, adding that electoral success is determined beyond party conventions, in “the streets, in the villages, in the markets, in the polling units, and in the hearts of the people.”
Highlighting the importance of inclusiveness, Shettima said every stakeholder within a party structure remains critical to its strength and survival.
“Each of us is a raindrop, and each raindrop matters in the making of a flood. No raindrop is too small to be ignored,” he said.
He also addressed the inevitability of disappointment in the political process, urging aspirants to handle outcomes with maturity and sportsmanship.
“We cannot all win at the same time… For every ticket, only one candidate will emerge,” he said, adding that “the true test of a politician is not how loudly he campaigns when the wind is behind him… it takes character to manage disappointment.”
On the role of party leadership, Shettima stressed the need for fairness, transparency, and respect for due process, noting that credibility in internal elections is essential for legitimacy.
“Party leaders must therefore act with fairness. Aspirants must be treated with dignity. Delegates must be allowed to act without fear,” he stated.
At the same time, he urged aspirants and their supporters to avoid actions capable of destabilising party structures, warning that no political ambition justifies destroying the platform that nurtured it.
“No ambition is worth the destruction of the platform that nurtured it,” he said.
The Vice President further reminded political actors that Nigerians are closely observing how leaders conduct themselves, particularly in moments of disagreement and loss.
“A leader who cannot manage disappointment cannot be trusted to manage power,” he warned.
Referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima said his political journey demonstrates the value of coalition-building and accommodation in sustaining democracy.
He concluded with a broad appeal to party stakeholders to prioritise unity over personal ambition as the election cycle progresses.
“Contest, but do not destroy. Disagree, but do not defame. Aspire, but do not divide… And after the primaries, let us close ranks,” he urged.
Reiterating his central message, Shettima warned that internal divisions could have far-reaching consequences if not carefully managed.
“The roof over this house shelters all of us. If we pull it down in anger, nobody will be spared by the storm.”