Tinubu’s Running Mate Will Be Decided After APC Primaries, Says Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu will choose his running mate for the 2027 presidential election only after the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its next national convention, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Onanuga addressed recent speculation suggesting that Tinubu may drop Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the next election cycle. The speculation intensified following an APC stakeholders summit in Gombe, where Tinubu was endorsed for re-election without any mention of Shettima, sparking confusion and protests among delegates.

Reacting to the matter, Onanuga dismissed the omission and controversy as irrelevant.

“That’s what happened under Buhari; he was nominated first and later picked his running mate. You don’t do both at once,” Onanuga explained.

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

He further downplayed claims of a rift 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,” he said.

Onanuga also pushed back against bizarre rumours circulating online, including claims that the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, is acting as vice president.

“People even say ridiculous things like Seyi Tinubu is the vice president. Absolute nonsense,” he added.

Reflecting on Tinubu’s past relationships with deputy governors during his time as Lagos State governor, Onanuga cautioned against drawing parallels.

“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,” he 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.”

He insisted that past incidents do not indicate a “pattern” of Tinubu discarding deputies.

“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 concluded by emphasizing that any discussion of a running mate or internal party dynamics remains premature until the APC holds its presidential convention and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its official timetable.