Tinubu to Pick 2027 Running Mate After APC Convention—Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu & His Vice

President Bola Tinubu will announce his running mate for the 2027 presidential election only after the APC convention in 2026, according to Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Onanuga clarified that Tinubu must first accept the party's nomination before selecting a running mate mirroring the process in previous elections.

“In a presidential system, the candidate emerges first, then the running mate. That’s what happened with Buhari,” Onanuga explained.

Addressing speculation around Vice President Kashim Shettima’s political future amid his absence from recent endorsements Onanuga dismissed the concerns as premature and unfounded.

“There’s no rift between the president and the vice president. They have a great working relationship. The gossip is baseless,” he said.

He also pushed back against claims that Tinubu has a pattern of sidelining deputies, citing unique circumstances in past decisions during his Lagos governorship.

When asked if the APC would repeat the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket, Onanuga responded, “That’s no longer an issue. The fears of Islamisation have proven false. Christians are living freely, and the President attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome.”

Onanuga also justified the wave of early endorsements for Tinubu, despite INEC not opening the campaign season.

“They’re a reaction to attacks from the opposition. The APC had to respond to show we’re alert and ready. You can’t expect the president to remain silent while opponents plot openly,” he added.