VP slot: Why Tinubu’s rumouredjuggle plan may fail North-Central.

📝 Full Blog Post Content:

As the political drums for 2027 begin to beat louder, reports have emerged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering a vice-presidential reshuffle, possibly shifting the VP slot away from the North-Central region to another zone to broaden political appeal and secure wider votes.

However, insiders and analysts warn that this strategy might backfire — especially in the North-Central, a politically sensitive zone that played a crucial role in Tinubu’s 2023 win.

🧠 The Rumored Plan:

Sources close to the APC inner circle suggest that:

• There are discussions around selecting a more influential VP candidate from the Northwest or Northeast, regions with higher voter numbers.

• The idea is to re-energize the base and compete more aggressively with rising opposition strength in the North.

This would potentially sideline Kogi State’s Yahaya Bello, Niger State’s Abubakar Sani Bello, or even current VP Kashim Shettima — depending on the final strategy.

📍 Why the North-Central Matters:

The North-Central is often called Nigeria’s “political balancing zone” because:

• It’s geographically neutral and ethnically diverse

• It lacks the deep religious and ethnic divides of other zones

• It helped deliver critical swing votes in 2023, especially in Plateau, Niger, and Kwara

Removing the VP slot from this region could be seen as a betrayal of loyalty, risking internal revolt.

“The North-Central gave Tinubu one of his strongest margins outside the Southwest. Ignoring that will hurt his 2027 chances,” said political analyst Dr. Yakubu Aliyu.

😠 Rising Discontent:

Already, some North-Central youth groups and traditional rulers are warning against the move, calling it “insensitive” and “dangerously divisive.”

Key figures in the zone are reportedly demanding:

• Guaranteed zoning of either the VP or Senate President

• Greater federal presence in agriculture, roads, and education

• Protection from political marginalization

🧩 The APC Dilemma:

The APC must now weigh its options:

• Stick with its 2023 formula (Southwest/North-Central ticket)

• Shift to a more “populous pairing” like Southwest/Northwest

• Or try a technocratic or surprise VP pick to reset the narrative

But whatever the choice, alienating the North-Central may damage more than just numbers — it could fracture the party’s fragile coalition.

🔮 What’s Ahead:

With elections still over 18 months away, anything can change. But political observers agree that every zone wants to be seen, heard, and represented — and ignoring the North-Central’s strategic role might cost more than it gains.