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By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
Students of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, have resorted to a seven-day prayer session, seeking God’s intervention so that President Bola Tinubu will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 election.
A 200-level Political Science student, Mohammed Yakubu, organized the prayer session that ended on Friday. It was held at Maranta Sheikh Abba Abu, Kofar Kwaya, Katsina, and featured mostly young clerics.
Recall that some All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, especially from the North-East and other blocs, are pressuring Tinubu to replace Vice President Shettima in 2027, arguing that a new running mate—possibly a northern Christian or a figure like Kwankwaso—would broaden electoral appeal and strengthen the party’s chances.
On the other hand, Shettima’s supporters insist that dropping him would be politically dangerous, as he has been loyal, delivered effectively, and retains strong backing in Borno and parts of the North-East.
In a statement cited by our reporter, he said, “Shettima has been my role model and seeing how he has helped His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, in running the affairs of our great country, they all deserve our prayers.”
“I want to call on our youth to engage in praying for our leaders, especially now that insecurity is bedeviling some parts of the country. We should desist from saying negative words or cursing them.”
Yakubu, 18, said he was inspired by Shettima’s “leadership style and contributions to youth and farmers” and urged Nigerians, especially young people, to pray for their leaders instead of criticizing them.
“Having studied what His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s leadership styles, especially in building us—the youth and farmers—like my father, to thrive, informed my decision to call for Islamic clerics, who are mostly youth like me, to pray for his success politically.
“I also want to urge government at all levels to redouble their efforts in tackling insecurity,” he said.
The prayer session comes amid speculations within the ruling APC over Shettima’s place on the 2027 ticket.
While the APC leadership has dismissed the claims, the issue has generated debates among party loyalists.
While celebrating Shettima on his 59th birthday Monday, Tinubu described him as a loyal partner.
“Your dedication reassures me that I did not make a mistake in choosing you as my deputy,” the President said in a statement shared by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.