Tinubu To Select 2027 Running Mate After APC Convention, Presidency Confirms.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will announce his running mate for the 2027 Nigerian presidential election only after securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination at the party’s convention in 2026, according to a statement from the Presidency. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made this clarification in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Thursday, addressing speculation surrounding Vice President Kashim Shettima’s political future.
Onanuga dismissed reports suggesting a rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as “baseless” and described the omission of Shettima’s name from recent endorsements for Tinubu’s re-election bid as a “non-issue.” He explained that in Nigeria’s presidential system, the candidate is selected first, followed by the choice of a running mate. “When I read the report, I dismissed it as a non-issue. In a presidential system, the candidate emerges first and then selects a running mate. That’s what happened under Buhari—he was nominated first and later picked his running mate,” Onanuga stated.
The statement comes amid growing public debate, particularly following a tense APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe, where the omission of Shettima’s name from an endorsement speech by APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, sparked chaos. The incident saw angry party delegates chanting Shettima’s name, with some resorting to violence, including throwing objects at Salihu. Despite the unrest, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, reassured members that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket remains “non-negotiable” for 2027.
Onanuga also addressed concerns that Tinubu’s history as Lagos State governor, during which he changed deputy governors twice, might indicate a plan to replace Shettima. He refuted such claims, stating, “That’s just speculation. Yes, when he was governor, there were issues. In his first term, he and his deputy, Kofo, didn’t get along, and she had to leave. Femi Pedro replaced her. In the second term, Pedro defected—he wanted to be governor. That’s why he had to go. It’s wrong to say he has a pattern of discarding deputies. There were specific political circumstances each time.”
On the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured Tinubu’s victory in 2023, Onanuga downplayed concerns about its potential repetition in 2027. He noted that earlier fears of Islamisation have been dispelled, citing Tinubu’s attendance at the Pope’s inauguration in Rome as evidence of religious inclusivity. “Christians are living their lives. Many of the names being speculated as potential running mates are Muslims. So again, this isn’t an issue,” he said.
Responding to criticism over the flurry of endorsements for Tinubu, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not yet declaring the official campaign period, Onanuga defended the move as a necessary counter to opposition attacks. “The endorsements are a reaction to something. If those in the so-called coalition had not started throwing missiles at the Tinubu administration and the APC, the APC would have waited until early next year to respond. But we had to show that we’re not asleep,” he explained.
The Presidency’s statement has been echoed across Nigerian media, with APC leaders, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, condemning the violence in Gombe and reaffirming support for both Tinubu and Shettima. Former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu also cautioned against moves to replace Shettima, warning that such a decision could fracture the party.
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, the APC appears focused on consolidating its position, bolstered by recent high-profile defections from opposition parties. However, the party faces the challenge of maintaining unity amid internal tensions and public scrutiny over its leadership decisions. For now, President Tinubu remains focused on governance, with the choice of his running mate to be revealed only after the APC’s convention next year.
