Senator Yerima Shettima has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Senate election for Kaduna Central, rejecting claims of an "anointed candidate" within the All Progressives Congress. Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, Shettima dismissed such reports as false and malicious, insisting there is no official endorsement of any preferred aspirant. He affirmed his commitment to the race, citing a need for quality representation for the people of Kaduna Central Senatorial District. "I want to state clearly that I am in the race for the Kaduna Central Senate. The rumours of an anointed candidate are malicious and should be ignored," he said.
Shettima expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to ensure a fair and transparent primary process. He called for adherence to party due process, warning against actions that could erode internal democracy and public trust. "We must allow the rule of law, internal democracy and the will of the people to prevail," he added, stating he would accept the outcome of a credible primary. He urged supporters to remain calm and continue backing President Tinubu and Governor Sani.
Yerima Shettima's insistence on a level playing field exposes the myth of consensus politics, where anointed candidates are often quietly installed. His public challenge to the idea of automatic endorsements puts pressure on APC leadership to prove their commitment to process over patronage. For voters in Kaduna Central, this signals that the 2027 race may hinge more on visible competition than backroom deals. Whether the party tolerates such openness or quietly sidelines dissent will shape public trust in its primaries.
