FOLLOWING the conclusion of the primaries to determine the presidential candidates for the 2027 election, political parties have turned their attention to selecting their running mates.

Reports from the Sunday Tribune indicate that several parties are facing challenges in making these crucial decisions. Although they have until June 27 to upload the details of their presidential candidates and running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), key stakeholders are feeling pressure to finalise their choices.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly at the forefront of these concerns. Sources suggest that unresolved issues related to the choice of Vice President Kashim Shettima are still being discussed. While the specifics of these issues are only known to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a final resolution has not yet been reached, with various names surfacing as potential replacements. One significant aspect of the selection process is the need for religious balancing. This has brought forward names such as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd). However, supporters of retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket argue that the impact of dropping Shettima could be alleviated by choosing someone like the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is from Adamawa in the North East, the same region as Shettima.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also grappling with the selection of a running mate. Names being considered include former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

However, sources indicate that discussions are still ongoing, and there have been suggestions that Amaechi might have declined the opportunity to be a running mate for the 2027 election. Despite this, other sources confirm that the former governor of Rivers State is awaiting a formal offer from the party.

A source close to the ADC mentioned that the party is approaching the running mate selection strategically and is committed to concluding discussions before the INEC deadline. “The process is ongoing. We are trying to be strategic about it,” the source said, assuring that the ADC presidential candidate would meet the deadline.

A source who dismissed the claim that Amaechi might have rejected the offer stated that the former governor of Rivers State is waiting for an official offer to be made first. The source further assured that discussions are ongoing at the party and candidate levels. They are engaging in talks, and once they reach a conclusion, an announcement will be made.

However, another source indicated that Atiku had previously considered selecting a running mate from the South-West region of the country, with a certain governor emerging as a potential candidate. Nevertheless, the source noted that for the discussions to progress, Atiku and the likely South-West running mate would need to part ways.

Among the three major political parties in the race for the 2027 presidential elections—the APC, ADC, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—only the NDC has resolved the issue of the presidential running mate. Its candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has announced that former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will be his running mate. The other parties, including the ruling APC and the opposition ADC, are still deeply engaged in strategic discussions to determine their most viable running mate candidates.

The two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which have nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Sandy Onor, have not yet finalized their choice for a running mate. Similarly, the Accord Party candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has not announced his running mate. This situation is also true for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which currently has factional presidential candidates. (Sunday Tribune)