Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, says the decision on who will run as Tinubu’s deputy in the 2027 general election will come only after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its convention.
Onanuga disclosed this in an interview with Daily Trust while reacting to reports that President Tinubu may drop Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 election.
The speculation followed a meeting of APC stakeholders from the North-East in Gombe State, which ended in chaos after the party’s North-East Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, endorsed Tinubu for a second term but failed to mention Shettima.
The omission sparked protests, with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum insisting that Shettima’s name be included in the endorsement.
When asked why the presidency had not responded to the speculations, Onanuga described the matter as a “non-issue,” explaining that in Nigeria’s political process, the presidential candidate is chosen first before a running mate is picked.
He said, “That’s what happened under Buhari; he was nominated first and later picked his running mate. You don’t do both at once.
“Once INEC releases the timetable, the party convention will hold, and if the president is nominated again, he will choose his running mate.”
Onanuga also dismissed claims of a possible fallout between Tinubu and Shettima. He described the rumours as idle talk with no basis.
“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.
“People even say ridiculous things like Seyi Tinubu is the vice president. Absolute nonsense.
“In this country, deputy roles, whether deputy governor or vice president, are always surrounded by rumours. 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 suggestions that Tinubu may treat Shettima the same way he handled some of his deputies while serving as Lagos State governor.
“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.”
