Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified that the President will select his running mate for the 2027 general elections only after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its next national convention.
This statement comes amid widespread speculation about a possible rift between President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, especially following Shettima’s conspicuous absence and lack of mention at a recent APC stakeholders’ summit held in Gombe.
The summit, which was marred by protests and catcalls after some delegates were reportedly angered by the lack of reference to Shettima, ended in disarray.
Addressing the rumours in an interview, Onanuga dismissed the narratives suggesting a fallout between the two top government officials. He called such claims unfounded and lacking substance.
“The debate is a non-issue,” Onanuga stated. “In a presidential system, the candidate is nominated first and later picks 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 went on to explain that the selection process will align with the electoral timetable yet to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Once INEC releases the timetable, the party convention will hold, and if the president is nominated again, he will choose his running mate,” he explained.
Dismissing the reports of a breakdown in the working relationship between Tinubu and Shettima, Onanuga maintained that both men remain politically aligned.
“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.
Taking a swipe at wild speculations on social media and in political circles, Onanuga cited one particularly absurd claim:
“People even say ridiculous things like Seyi Tinubu is the vice president. Absolute nonsense.”
He pointed out that such gossip tends to trail individuals holding deputy positions in Nigeria, regardless of the actual relationship they have with their principals.
“Even when there’s no conflict, people around them will concoct stories. But as far as I know, Tinubu and Shettima work together very well.”
Onanuga also addressed comparisons being drawn between Tinubu’s history as Lagos State governor and his current presidency, particularly the fact that he had two deputies while in office from 1999 to 2007.
“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,” Onanuga recounted.
“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.”
