2027: Tinubu’s Running Mate to Be Decided After APC Convention – Onanuga
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified that the president will only select his running mate for the 2027 general elections after the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention scheduled for 2026.
He made this known during an interview with Daily Trust, where he addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Vice President Kashim Shettima’s exclusion from recent endorsements of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Onanuga downplayed public concerns over the presidency’s silence on the matter, insisting it should not be interpreted as a sign that Shettima is being sidelined.
He emphasized that, in line with Nigeria’s presidential system, the selection of a running mate traditionally follows the party’s formal nomination of its candidate.
“In a presidential system, the candidate emerges first, and then picks a running mate,” Onanuga explained. “That’s how it was done during Buhari’s time—he was nominated before choosing Osinbajo. Similarly, Tinubu will pick his running mate if and when he is nominated at the convention.”
Onanuga also addressed speculation that Tinubu might repeat his actions as Lagos governor, when he changed deputies twice, suggesting this history is being taken out of context.
“There were specific political circumstances,” he noted. “In Tinubu’s first term, he and his deputy Kofo Bucknor-Akerele had issues, so she left. Femi Pedro replaced her. Pedro stayed for a while but later left because he wanted to be governor. It wasn’t about a pattern of discarding deputies—it was political dynamics at play.”
He went on to dismiss reports of a rift between Tinubu and Shettima, describing their relationship as solid and functional.
“There is no friction between the president and the vice president,” he said. “All these rumours about Seyi Tinubu acting as vice president or a hidden agenda are just beer parlour gossip. From what I know, they have an excellent working relationship.”
Onanuga also responded to the lingering debate over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought Tinubu and Shettima to power in 2023. According to him, the earlier concerns about religious imbalance have since been proven baseless.
“Christians are living freely. The president even attended the Pope’s inauguration. The Muslim-Muslim ticket is no longer a real issue,” he said, adding that many of the names floated as potential running mates for 2027 are also Muslims.
Regarding the wave of endorsements for Tinubu ahead of the official start of the campaign season, Onanuga said they were a defensive response to opposition criticism.
“These endorsements didn’t happen in a vacuum,” he explained. “Opposition elements began attacking the Tinubu administration early. We couldn’t just sit back. So yes, we’re grateful for the endorsements—it shows confidence in the president’s leadership. We’re not campaigning yet, but we’re staying vigilant.”
Onanuga’s comments appear aimed at quelling rising political tension and public speculation within the APC, especially in the North-East, where many see Shettima as a key symbol of regional inclusion.
2027: Tinubu’s Running Mate to Be Decided After APC Convention – Onanuga