Tinubu 2027 Running Mate Decision Timeline

Tinubu 2027 running mate decision will come after APC convention, says Bayo Onanuga.

A Calm Before the Storm: The Silence Surrounding Tinubu’s 2027 Ticket

As Nigeria inches toward another critical election year, speculations, whisper campaigns, and political permutations are beginning to form a steady undercurrent.

At the center of it all is one looming question: Who will be Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate in 2027?

In a political landscape where silence often says more than words, the absence of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name during a high-profile endorsement summit in Gombe was enough to ignite a frenzy.

But according to Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, there is no rift, no drama just timing.

And yet, Nigerians remain watchful.

Tinubu 2027 Running Mate Decision Explained

The focus keyword Tinubu 2027 running mate has fueled national curiosity, not because a decision has been made, but because none has been announced.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Onanuga clarified what many political analysts already suspected:

that Tinubu will not select his running mate until the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its next convention.

This practice aligns with Nigeria’s presidential system, where a party candidate emerges first, followed by a choice of running mate.

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

The implication is clear: any talk of Shettima being “dropped” is, at best, premature and, at worst, speculative mischief.

Gombe Summit: A Minor Omission or a Major Signal?

During a recent stakeholders’ summit in Gombe State, APC chieftains publicly endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

Curiously, Shettima’s name was missing from the statement.

The omission stirred immediate tension. Some party members even disrupted the event, demanding an explanation.

To the untrained eye, this may seem like political oversight.

But within Nigerian politics where every pause, word, and gesture is dissected such omissions often stoke the fires of suspicion.

Was it a harmless mistake or a quiet test balloon?

Political Culture and the “Deputy Dilemma”

In Nigeria, deputy roles whether that of a Vice President or Deputy Governor are often the subject of myths, gossip, and political baiting.

Onanuga himself described the Shettima rumors as “beer parlour gossip.” But even that brush-off acknowledges how pervasive such whispers are.

“Even when there’s no conflict, people around them concoct stories,” he said.

Indeed, this culture is not new. Tinubu’s time as Lagos State governor offers a telling glimpse.

His first-term deputy, Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, was replaced amid tension. In his second term, Femi Pedro also exited amid political disagreement.

So, critics argue, isn’t there a pattern?

Not necessarily, Onanuga counters. “There were specific political circumstances each time,” he said, “and it’s wrong to generalize.”

Shettima: The Man in the Middle

Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State and a strategic figure in Northern politics, was widely praised for balancing Tinubu’s Southern base during the 2023 campaign.

His cool demeanor, policy knowledge, and Northern appeal made him a natural choice.

So, what changed?

According to the presidency: nothing. Onanuga insists there’s a solid working relationship between Tinubu and Shettima.

But in politics, perception can be more powerful than fact.

Shettima’s own silence has been interpreted in several ways. Some see it as loyalty; others, as isolation. Whatever the truth, the nation is watching closely.

APC’s Next Convention: All Eyes Forward

Until the APC’s next national convention, there will be no official nominee and, therefore, no official running mate.

This delay is not unusual, but in today’s hyperconnected world, every delay feels like a decision deferred.

The timeline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will trigger internal party processes, including the nomination of candidates and formalization of their running mates.

Until then, political watchers will continue to read between the lines of every handshake, every omission, and every tweet.

Rumors, Realities, and Renewed Strategy

One cannot ignore that Tinubu’s political strategy has always included calculated silence.

He rarely reacts quickly to public noise. Instead, he lets speculation simmer while planning several moves ahead.

This approach makes it difficult to predict outcomes especially concerning Shettima.

Would Tinubu risk replacing a man who helped him stabilize Northern support? Or would he calculate that another face might secure even more votes?

Political insiders suggest both options are “on the table,” depending on how the next 12–18 months unfold.

Tinubu’s Running Mate: Five Possible Scenarios

Let’s explore five credible outcomes regarding the Tinubu 2027 running mate situation:

1. Status Quo Maintained

Shettima retains his position, symbolizing stability and rewarding loyalty.

2. Northern Face, New Name

A replacement still from the North perhaps younger or with broader appeal in the North-West or North-Central.

3. Female Candidate for Inclusion

A strategic move to reflect gender inclusion and broaden appeal among urban youth and women.

4. Technocratic Surprise

A non-traditional pick someone from outside mainstream politics signaling innovation and reform.

5. Southern Shift (Unlikely)

A drastic pivot that reconfigures the North-South balance, but would come with considerable risks.

Each of these paths carries rewards and risks.

Opposition Reacts: PDP, Labour Party Watch Closely

Although Opposition parties are closely monitoring Tinubu’s internal maneuverings.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) recently mocked the APC’s “Gombe gaffe,” pointing to it as evidence of internal cracks.

A spokesperson for PDP said:

“The APC can’t even mention their own Vice President in a public endorsement. What does that say about unity?”

Moreso, the Labour Party, still capitalizing on its youth-driven momentum from 2023, has remained cautious in commenting but the party’s strategists are clearly recalibrating.

In 2027, running mates could be as consequential as the candidates themselves.

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The Bigger Picture: Nigeria’s 2027 Elections Start Now

Though 2027 feels far away, Nigeria’s political class knows better. The groundwork is already being laid.

From internal power struggles to regional recalibrations, the campaign season has unofficially begun.

For President Tinubu, the question of a running mate is more than protocol it’s a political statement.

Whether he retains Shettima or chooses a new name, the decision will reverberate across party lines and geopolitical zones.

Final Word: The Power of Political Timing

As Bayo Onanuga rightly pointed out, timing is everything. Until INEC opens the window, and the APC names its nominee, all talk remains speculation.

Still, in a country where politics is a national sport, speculation is half the game.

Whether it’s whispered in beer parlors or debated on TV, the Tinubu 2027 running mate question will remain hot until the president himself finally speaks.