The presidency has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make known his running mate for the 2027 presidential election only after he is officially nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at its national convention in 2026.
This explanation was given by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy dismissing the growing rumours that Vice President Kashim Shettima might be dropped.
According to Onanuga, the recent endorsements of President Tinubu that did not mention the vice president were not unusual. “The silence was routine because, in Nigeria’s presidential system, the candidate is chosen first and the running mate later,” he declared.
Onanuga also rejected claims that Tinubu’s past actions while serving as Lagos State governor — when he changed his deputies — were a sign that Shettima may be replaced. Onanuga explained that those past changes were based on specific political issues and should not be seen as a pattern.
“There is no rift between the president and his vice,” Onanuga said. “They enjoy an excellent working relationship.” He described the speculation about a falling out between the two leaders as nothing more than “beer parlour gossip.”
Onanuga also responded to suggestions that President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, was having undue influence on government matters. He firmly dismissed such claims.
Reacting to question on whether President Tinubu might choose another Muslim as his running mate in 2027, Onanuga said the concern about a Muslim-Muslim ticket has greatly reduced. He noted that many of the names currently being mentioned as possible running mates are Muslims. “Earlier fears of Islamisation have faded,” he added.
Onanuga also defended the early endorsements of the president despite the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet declared the 2027 campaign open. He said, “The APC is simply responding to opposition criticism and showing we’re not asleep.”
The conversation around the future of Vice President Shettima intensified after a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State, where some members showed support for Tinubu but did not mention Shettima. This raised concerns about a possible replacement.
However, Governor Babagana Zulum later appealed to the party to keep the Tinubu-Shettima ticket intact.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned the APC not to remove the vice president. The group said replacing him would be “ill-advised” and should only happen after thorough consultation.
In a separate political development, retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). During a meeting with party leaders and supporters in Niger State, he shared his plans for Nigeria’s future.
