National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has firmly dismissed reports suggesting he is being touted as President Bola Tinubu’s potential running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the claims as unfounded and deliberately misleading.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Yilwatda said there was no conversation within the ruling party about changing the vice-presidential ticket, stressing that Vice President Kashim Shettima remains firmly in place.
He waved off the speculation as needless politicking, insisting it was “raising dust where there is no dust,” and cautioned against reading meanings into issues that are not on the party’s agenda.
According to him, discussions around a vice-presidential slot are procedurally premature and cannot arise before the party concludes its presidential primary.
“The question of candidature only comes after the primary election. It is then that the party, together with its presidential candidate, will sit down to nominate a running mate,” the APC chairman said.
Yilwatda maintained that no organ of the party had entertained such discussions, adding that the narrative was being pushed by opposition elements bent on distracting the ruling party from governance and internal consolidation.
“I honestly laugh when I hear it. Nothing of that nature has been discussed at all,” he said, underscoring the leadership’s focus on party unity and policy delivery rather than speculative politics.
He also recalled that he had earlier warned APC appointees and elected officials to steer clear of comments on vice-presidential matters, noting that loose talk could fuel unnecessary tension and mischief.
