As a concerned indigene of the Northeast and a patriotic Nigerian who believes in purposeful leadership, I write this not as a critic but as an observer of the unfolding political dynamics in our dear country. Vice President Kashim Shettima is not just a politician — he is an institution. From his groundbreaking work as governor of Borno state to his intellectual presence in the National Assembly and his current role as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Shettima has always stood out for his clarity, courage, and competence.

Yet, the silence surrounding his political future within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming too loud to ignore.

We saw it in May 2025 when 22 APC governors publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential race, without a single mention of the vice president. Again, the North-west stakeholders followed suit — loud applause for Tinubu, muted indifference toward Shettima.

And just recently, the APC North-east Zonal Stakeholders met in Gombe, Shettima’s home zone. The message? Another round of endorsement for President Tinubu — yet again, the vice president was conspicuously missing from the picture.

This is no longer politics as usual — it is a pattern. A dangerous one.

For a man who played a pivotal role in the 2023 elections — rallying the North, defending the APC with finesse, and injecting credibility into the campaign — this is not just political sidelining. It is a strategic erasure. And if Shettima does not pause now to recalibrate, he may find himself politically stranded in a party he helped build.

The APC appears to be moving on — without him.

But this does not mean the end. It simply means it’s time for a serious re-strategising. The vice president must not allow himself to be reduced to a spare tyre in a vehicle he helped fuel and drive to victory.

He must read the room.

Nigeria’s political terrain is volatile. Loyalty is fleeting. Relevance must be constantly negotiated. Now is the time to assess relationships, weigh political signals, and map a new course that reflects his value, vision, and aspirations.

There are three things Shettima must do — and quickly:

First, reconnect with his political base. The North, particularly the North-east, still holds him in high regard. But silence creates uncertainty. He must re-engage his support system — governors, lawmakers, grassroots leaders, youth, and elders. Let them know he’s not out of the game.

Second, build strategic alliances. If the APC is preparing to move forward without him, then he must also prepare to move forward beyond the APC. Nigeria’s political space is fluid. New movements are emerging. A smart alliance today could become a winning ticket tomorrow.

Third, own the narrative. If he waits for the media or political enemies to define his relevance, they will write him off before 2026. Shettima must begin to speak — subtly but strategically. Not to attack, but to assert. Not to complain, but to inspire. His voice still matters. But silence, in this case, may be mistaken for weakness.

As a concerned indigene of the North-east, I cannot stay silent while one of our own — a man of substance — is gradually being edged out of relevance in a party he laboured to build. Shettima’s journey is a beacon of hope to many of us. But even a beacon needs to reposition to keep shining.

The vice president is no stranger to adversity. He led Borno during its darkest days. He defied odds in 2023. He still has what it takes to shape the future of this nation.

But this moment requires more than loyalty to a party. It demands loyalty to purpose. The stakes are too high to sit and watch while political tides shift dangerously.

Shettima must not wait until he is formally dumped before he starts thinking of alternatives. Now is the time to restrategise — with wisdom, with grace, and with courage.

History does not favour the silent observer. It rewards the active navigator.

And if fate has written his name among the leaders of tomorrow, then no party can erase it — only he can.

So, Mr. Vice President, it is time to act. Not with bitterness. Not with haste. But with clarity and focus.