2027: Presidency reveals when Tinubu will choose running mate

The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not yet chosen a running mate for the 2027 presidential election, amid increasing public debate and media reports suggesting Vice President Kashim Shettima may be dropped.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known during an interview with Daily Trust on Thursday.

Responding to questions about Shettima’s noticeable absence from recent endorsement rallies for Tinubu’s second-term bid, Onanuga said it is too early to talk about who Tinubu’s running mate will be.

He explained that the presidency’s silence on the matter should not be seen as confirmation that Shettima has been sidelined.

“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. You don’t do both at once.

“Once INEC releases the timetable, the party convention will hold, and if the president is nominated again, he will choose his running mate,” Onanuga said.

He also pushed back against claims that Tinubu’s past record of changing deputies while serving as governor of Lagos State means Shettima will be dropped before 2027.

“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, he retained Pedro, but Pedro later defected—he wanted to be governor. That’s why he had to go. I don’t want to reopen old wounds, but that’s what happened.

“So, it’s wrong to say he has a pattern of discarding deputies. There were specific political circumstances each time. That’s what I’m explaining,” he said.

Onanuga also dismissed rumours of any conflict between Tinubu and Shettima.

“I’m not aware of any issues between the president and the vice president. From what I know, they have an excellent working relationship. All the speculation is just beer parlour gossip. People even say ridiculous things like Seyi Tinubu is the vice president—absolute nonsense.

“In this country, deputy roles—whether deputy governor or vice president—are always surrounded by rumours. Even when there’s no conflict, people around them will concoct stories. But as far as I know, Tinubu and Shettima work together very well,” he said.

When asked if his remarks meant the Muslim-Muslim ticket used in the 2023 election might be repeated in 2027, Onanuga said the issue no longer matters.

“Christians are living their lives. The president even attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome. There’s nothing to worry about.

“Many of the names being speculated as potential running mates are Muslims. So again, this isn’t an issue,” he added.

Onanuga also addressed criticisms about the wave of endorsements Tinubu has received even though INEC has not officially opened the campaign season.

“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 but ready to square up. You can’t expect the president to sit by while his opponents are plotting openly against him.

“We’re grateful for the confidence they have in him. Of course, we welcome the endorsements, even though the campaign period hasn’t officially begun. Everyone knows that. But because the opposition jumped the gun, the ruling party can’t just fold its arms,” he said.