The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has confirmed that the party will determine President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election after its national convention, expected to be held roughly a year before the general election.

Speaking on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Friday, Basiru said:

 “The question of running mate is not yet onboard. Nobody has come to say that the President has made any adverse decision as regards the present Vice President.”

Basiru emphasized that President Tinubu already enjoys overwhelming support from party stakeholders for re-election, following the recent National Policy and Development Summit held at the Presidential Villa.

The clarification comes on the heels of growing speculation about the fate of Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tinubu’s 2027 ticket.

Tensions flared last Sunday during a meeting of APC North-East stakeholders in Gombe, where Mustapha Salihu, APC Vice Chairman (North-East), endorsed Tinubu for re-election without mentioning Shettima.

The omission sparked protests led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who insisted on Shettima’s inclusion in the endorsement.

While Tinubu appears secure in his position as the APC's likely 2027 flag bearer, internal party unity, especially in the North-East, may hinge on clarity about Shettima’s future.

The party convention now takes on greater significance, not just for formal endorsement, but for settling questions of zonal representation and running mate loyalty.