Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who represents the Sokoto North Senatorial District, has firmly dismissed claims suggesting he is nursing a 2027 vice-presidential ambition.
The former governor of Sokoto State described such reports as completely unfounded, politically motivated, and aimed at creating confusion.
In a press statement issued on Sunday and signed by his media aide, Abdallah el-Kurebe, Wamakko distanced himself from comments recently made by Abdullahi Yerima, Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, which were reported by a newspaper (not The PUNCH).
“We wish to state unequivocally that Senator Wamakko has never at any time, publicly or privately, expressed interest in contesting for the position of vice president in the 2027 general elections, or in any political arrangement of that nature.
Any insinuation or claim to that effect is false, baseless, and highly irresponsible,” the statement read.
The senator, also known as the Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, described Yerima’s remarks as reckless and misleading, accusing the local government chairman of dragging his name into “needless and unfounded political speculation.”
“The former governor further described Yerima’s statement as a reckless and deliberate act aimed at misleading the public and dragging his name into ‘needless and unfounded political speculation.’”
The statement further demanded a public apology from Yerima to both the senator and his family.
“The statement called on the Kebbe council chairman to immediately retract the statement and issue a public apology to both the senator and his family.”
Wamakko reiterated his dedication to his current mandate and emphasized that his political focus remains unchanged.
“Let it be on record that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko remains focused on serving the people of Sokoto State and the nation through responsible leadership and political maturity, and should not be drawn into opportunistic narratives concocted for selfish motives,” the statement read.
The senator’s office also criticised media platforms that circulated the report without confirming its authenticity, urging greater responsibility in political reporting.
This comes amid internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly surrounding Vice President Kashim Shettima’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections.
A recent meeting of North-East APC stakeholders ended in disarray after Tinubu was endorsed for 2027, with no mention of Shettima, sparking speculations about the North-West eyeing the VP slot.
The Presidency has since denied any rift between Tinubu and Shettima, affirming that the President would choose his running mate after the party’s formal nomination convention.
