Tinubu Yet to Pick 2027 Running Mate — Presidency
President Bola Tinubu has not chosen a running mate for the 2027 presidential election, according to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Speaking to Daily Trust on Thursday, Onanuga said the decision will only be made after the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its national convention.
His comment comes after the APC stakeholders’ summit in Gombe, where several speakers endorsed Tinubu for a second term but failed to mention Vice President Kashim Shettima. The omission caused uproar among some delegates and led to disruptions at the event.
Onanuga downplayed the drama, calling the debate unnecessary and premature.
“In a presidential system, the candidate comes first. After nomination, the candidate chooses a running mate. That’s what Buhari did, and Tinubu will do the same,” he said. “Once INEC releases the timetable and a convention is held, and if Tinubu is nominated again, he will then decide on his running mate.”
He also dismissed rumours of a rift between the president and his vice president.
“There is no problem between Tinubu and Shettima. From what we see, they work well together. These rumours are just beer parlour gossip,” Onanuga said. “Some people have even said Seyi Tinubu is the real vice president complete nonsense.”
On the claim that Tinubu has a history of replacing deputies, Onanuga said it was wrong to draw comparisons with his time as Lagos State governor.
“Yes, there were changes. Kofo Bucknor-Akerele left during his first term, and Femi Pedro later stepped down to contest for governor. But those were different situations. It’s unfair to say Tinubu has a habit of dumping deputies,” he added.
Onanuga said the current focus should be on governance and development, not early 2027 election politics.
