Tinubu to choose 2027 running mate after APC convention – Onanuga
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has announced that the President will select his running mate for the 2027 election after the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) convention.
The statement comes amid swirling rumors regarding the potential replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Onanuga responded to growing speculation that Shettima might not accompany Tinubu into the next election. The controversy was sparked during a recent APC stakeholders summit in Gombe, where delegates endorsed Tinubu for a second term without mentioning Shettima, causing concerns among attendees.
When queried about the lack of presidential comments on the matter, Onanuga deemed it a “non-issue.” He explained, “In a presidential system, the presidential candidate is nominated before a running mate is selected. That’s what happened under Buhari; he was nominated first and later picked his running mate. You don’t do both at once.”
Once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable, Onanuga indicated that the party’s convention would occur, and if Tinubu is nominated again, he will then choose his running mate.
Onanuga also addressed rumors of a rift between the President and Shettima, describing them as “beer parlour gossip.” He stated, “From what I know, they have an excellent working relationship. All the speculation is just that — gossip.”
He also dispelled the idea that Tinubu’s history with former deputies as Lagos governor might be a bad omen for Shettima, arguing that each situation had unique political circumstances, thus making it unfair to suggest a recurring pattern. “That’s just speculation. It’s wrong to say he has a pattern of discarding deputies,” Onanuga clarified.
Source: Vanguard newspaper
