Key Contenders Gunning To Be Tinubu’s Running Mate In 2027 Election

3

Like

With the 2027 Nigerian presidential election on the horizon, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is embroiled in a heated contest over who will run alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his vice-presidential candidate.

The decision, expected after the APC national convention in 2026, as confirmed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has sparked intense speculation about whether Vice President Kashim Shettima will retain his position or be replaced.

A chaotic APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe on June 15, 2025, where Shettima’s omission from endorsements triggered violent protests, has intensified the debate.

As an emerging opposition coalition, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), led by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and prominent figures like Nasir El-Rufai and David Mark, gears up to challenge Tinubu, the choice of running mate could redefine the APC’s electoral strategy.

President Tinubu faces mounting pressure to navigate party dynamics and regional strategies as he prepares to select his 2027 running mate after the 2026 APC convention.

Speculation swirls around potential replacements, particularly from the vote-rich North-West, as the All Democratic Alliance’s plan to register a new party, uniting Atiku Abubakar’s northern influence with Peter Obi’s southern appeal, heightens the stakes, especially in key regions like Kano.

Here are the key contenders vying for Tinubu’s running mate position in 2027.

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor (1999–2003, 2011–2015), Minister of Defence (2003–2007), and Senator for Kano Central (2015–2019), is a leading contender.

As the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Kwankwaso commands the influential Kwankwasiyya movement, a grassroots force in Kano and parts of the North-West.

Sources indicate Tinubu is actively wooing Kwankwaso to rejoin the APC, citing his ability to mobilize voters in Kano, a state with 44 local governments.

“He has the experience and support base to ensure Tinubu’s re-election,” a party insider noted, suggesting that APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s failure to endorse Shettima in Gombe was a strategic nod to Kwankwaso’s negotiations.

Kwankwaso’s influence was evident in 2023, when his NNPP candidacy split the opposition vote, indirectly aiding Tinubu’s victory in Kano.

However, his rivalry with Ganduje, a fellow Kano political leader, poses a challenge. A party source remarked, “Can Tinubu bridge the Kwankwaso-Ganduje divide to secure Kano’s loyalty?”

Additionally, Kwankwaso’s supporters may resist a vice-presidential role, preferring he pursue the presidency in 2031, when power is expected to return to the North. With the ADA’s coalition threatening to consolidate opposition votes, Kwankwaso’s inclusion could be a game-changer.

Barau Jibrin

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, a Kano North senator since 2015 and a National Assembly veteran since 2003, is a strong candidate backed by the Northern Nigeria Progressive Youth Assembly (NNPYA).

On June 25, 2025, Jibrin declared, “Whatever Tinubu asks me to do, I’ll do. I’m loyal to him, 100%,” crediting the President for securing his 2023 Senate ticket and elevation to Deputy Senate President.

The NNPYA praised Jibrin’s role in delivering significant APC votes in Kano, where his influence ensured nearly all House of Representatives seats went to the party.

“Jibrin’s loyalty and regional pull make him a marketable choice,” the group stated, emphasizing the North-West’s electoral importance.

Jibrin, calling himself a “progressive to the core,” described Tinubu as his “political father” who resolved political disputes in Kano.

However, he urged supporters to focus on governance, labeling 2027 campaigns “premature.” A party chieftain noted, “Jibrin’s loyalty is unquestionable, but does his influence extend beyond Kano to rival Kwankwaso’s broader network?”

His candidacy could solidify APC’s North-West base, but his limited national profile compared to Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya movement may be a hurdle.

Yakubu Dogara

Yakubu Dogara, former House Speaker (2015–2019) from Bauchi State, brings a unique perspective as a North-East Christian.

On June 24, 2025, the North-East Coalition of APC Support Groups endorsed him as a “unifying” candidate, citing his leadership experience and ability to appeal to Christian voters.

Dogara, who joined the APC in 2020 after leaving the PDP, opposed the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket but was recently appointed chairman of the National Credit Guarantee Company, signaling Tinubu’s trust. His Christian identity could counter criticism of the 2023 ticket, particularly in the North Central and South, where religious balance is a concern.

However, sources warn that a North-East Christian may struggle to retain support in the Muslim-majority North-West and North-East, especially with the ADA’s Atiku leveraging northern Muslim voters.

A party strategist remarked, “Dogara’s appointment shows Tinubu values him, but can he deliver the northern votes needed to counter the opposition?” His candidacy hinges on whether Tinubu prioritizes religious inclusivity over regional vote maximization.

Nuhu Ribadu

Nuhu Ribadu, the current National Security Adviser and former EFCC Chairman (2003–2007), is a North-East Muslim from Adamawa State. Known for his anti-corruption crusade under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ribadu has a strong national profile but a weak electoral record, having lost presidential (2011) and gubernatorial (2015, 2019) bids.

Speculation about his candidacy surfaced in 2025, though a reported APC Adamawa endorsement was clarified as support for his NSA role, not a political bid.

Retaining a North-East candidate like Ribadu may not address the APC’s need to strengthen its North-West base.

His rumored 2031 presidential ambition, denied in February 2025, adds complexity, as some see him as a long-term contender rather than a 2027 VP.

Other Contenders

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya

As Gombe State governor since 2019 and Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Yahaya is a rumored contender.

He publicly endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in Gombe, but sources suggest this was strategic, masking his interest in the VP slot. His regional influence is limited compared to North-West candidates, and Gombe’s smaller voter base reduces his appeal.

“Yahaya’s governorship gives him leverage, but does he have the national clout to compete?” an APC source asked.

Abubakar Badaru

Former Jigawa governor (2015–2023) and current Minister of Defence, Badaru is a North-West Muslim seen as a “safe pick” for continuity with the 2023 ticket’s religious composition.

His experience as governor and minister bolsters his credentials, but he lacks the grassroots fervor of Kwankwaso or Jibrin.

Simon Lalong

Former Plateau governor (2015–2023) and current senator for Plateau South, Lalong is a North Central Christian who served as Tinubu’s Minister of Labour until moving to the Senate.

His selection could appease critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, particularly in the North Central, where the APC won four states in 2023. However, his regional base may limit his appeal in the vote-rich North-West.

Sani Musa
Senator for Niger East since 2019, Musa is a lesser-known North Central contender with limited national visibility. His inclusion in VP discussions stems from his APC loyalty, but his influence pales compared to others.

What Lies Ahead?

The Gombe chaos, where Shettima’s supporters shouted “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East” and attacked party leaders, highlights the risks of replacing the Vice President.

Former Minister Adebayo Shittu warned, “Dropping Shettima could fracture the party. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Political analyst Dr. Okey Ikechukwu cautioned that public disputes undermine party discipline, questioning whether “Tinubu retains the freedom to choose his running mate.” Onanuga clarified that Tinubu’s history of changing deputies as Lagos governor—replacing Kofo Bucknor-Akerele with Femi Pedro—does not foreshadow Shettima’s fate, emphasizing that no decision has been made.

The ADA’s emergence, uniting Atiku, Obi, and figures like El-Rufai, Tambuwal, and David Mark, poses a formidable challenge. Their plan to register as a new party could consolidate northern and southern votes, threatening APC’s hold on key regions like Kano.

Tinubu’s strategists are banking on a North-West candidate like Kwankwaso or Jibrin to counter this, but retaining Shettima could preserve party unity.

Will Tinubu prioritize regional votes, religious balance, or loyalty? As the 2026 convention approaches, his decision will shape the APC’s 2027 prospects and the 2031 succession, determining Nigeria’s political trajectory.