Tinubu Yet to Decide Running Mate for 2027 – Presidency

The Presidency has addressed growing speculation regarding the political future of Vice President Kashim Shettima, clarifying that no decision has been made on a running mate for the 2027 elections.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the discussions as premature and unnecessary.

“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,” Onanuga stated.

He emphasised that President Tinubu has not confirmed any plans for his re-election ticket and dismissed concerns about Shettima’s absence in recent campaign-related events. 

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

Addressing claims that Tinubu may follow a similar pattern from his Lagos governorship days by dropping deputies, Onanuga said such views misrepresent historical facts. 

“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,” he explained.

He cautioned against drawing conclusions, saying, “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.”

Onanuga also dismissed rumours of a strained relationship between the President and Vice President. 

“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,” he said.

Commenting on whether a Muslim-Muslim ticket might be repeated in 2027, Onanuga noted that it is no longer a topic of concern. “Christians are living their lives. 

The president even attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome. There’s nothing to worry about,” he said. 

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

He also defended the recent wave of endorsements for Tinubu’s second term, noting that it was a direct response to criticisms from the opposition. 

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.