BREAKING: Tinubu To Announce 2027 Running Mate Soon – Presidency

Tinubu To Announce 2027 Running Mate Soon – Presidency

 

 

The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will announce his running mate for the 2027 general election only after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its national convention in 2026.

 

This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, during an interview with Daily Trust on Thursday.

 

The clarification comes amid growing political speculation following the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje’s, endorsement of President Tinubu’s second-term bid during a stakeholders’ meeting in the North East—an event which notably excluded Vice President Kashim Shettima from the spotlight.

 

Reacting to the controversy, Onanuga dismissed suggestions that the vice president had been sidelined, describing the narrative as premature and unfounded.

 

“When I read the report, I dismissed it as a non-issue,” Onanuga said. “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.”

 

He emphasized that any decision about the president’s running mate will come only after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases the 2027 election timetable and the party holds its convention.

 

Addressing comparisons to Tinubu’s time as Lagos State governor—where he changed deputies during his tenure—Onanuga urged critics to avoid drawing parallels.

 

“That’s just speculation,” he said. “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.”

 

According to Onanuga, those events were driven by unique political circumstances and should not be seen as evidence of a trend.

 

The presidential aide also addressed long-standing rumors of a rift between Tinubu and Shettima, describing them as “beer parlour gossip.”

 

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

 

Onanuga urged the public to disregard unfounded claims and focus on the administration’s work, reiterating that the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima remains solid.