2027: TINUBU WILL SELECT HIS VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOLLOWING APC CONVENTION- ONANUGA

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By Jen Nomamiukor

Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisor to the president on information and strategy, has stated that President Bola Tinubu will select his 2027 vice-presidential candidate subsequent to the forthcoming convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Onanuga revealed this during an interview with Daily Trust, in response to the conjecture regarding President Tinubu’s purported intention to replace Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 election.

The speculation recently sparked a controversy when some speakers at the APC stakeholders summit in Gombe endorsed President Tinubu for a second term without mentioning Shettima.

The exclusion resulted in the event’s disturbance as certain delegates inquired why the Vice President’s name was not referenced during the endorsement.

When questioned regarding the lack of response from the presidency to the accusation, Onanuga dismissed the matter as a “non-issue,” stating that in a presidential system, the presidential candidate is chosen prior to the selection of a running mate.

Onanuga stated, “That is what transpired during Buhari’s tenure; he was initially nominated and subsequently selected his running mate. One does not undertake both actions simultaneously.

“Once INEC disseminates the schedule, the party convention will occur, and should the president be nominated once more, he will appoint his running mate. ”

The presidential spokesperson further refuted the conjecture of discord between President Tinubu and Shettima as ‘trivial hearsay’, asserting he is uninformed on the matter.

“I am not privy to any difficulties between the president and the vice president. To my knowledge, they maintain an exceptional collaborative rapport. All the conjecture is merely frivolous gossip,” he remarked.

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“Individuals even assert absurd claims such as Seyi Tinubu being the vice president. Utterly preposterous. ”

“In this nation, auxiliary positions, be it deputy governor or vice president, are perpetually enveloped in speculation. Even in the absence of discord, individuals in their vicinity will fabricate narratives. However, to my knowledge, Tinubu and Shettima collaborate exceedingly well. ”

Onanuga also rejected the insinuation that Tinubu’s relationship with former deputies during his stint as Lagos governor is an ominous sign for Shettima.

“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,” Onanuga said.

“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.”