The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has distanced himself from calls made by the Northern Nigeria Progressive Youth Assembly (NNPYA), urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pick him as his running mate come 2027.

In a statement by his spokesman Ismail Mudashir, Barau urged the group to stop the campaign immediately and channel their energies and resources to supporting Tinubu?s administration.

?My attention has been drawn to various posts on social media and in some national dailies by some groups, including the Northern Nigeria Progressive Youth Assembly (NNPYA), urging our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to pick me as his running mate come 2027. This is out of place at this moment and not in our best interest.

?I want to appeal to the NNPYA and all other groups and individuals engaged in this clamour to refrain forthwith and channel their energies and resources towards supporting President Tinubu in his quest to address the numerous challenges facing our country,? he said.

?This is not the time to engage in this kind of clamour. What should be paramount to all of us at this moment is the success of the President. He is genuinely committed to turning around our country?s fortunes positively.

?Therefore, I appeal to all to support him in continuing with his programs and policies that have started to bear positive fruits. Be part of the team to restore the glorious days of our country,? he said.

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a summit for APC stakeholders from Nigeria?s North-East geopolitical zone became rowdy in Gombe State after APC North-East Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, named Tinubu as the party?s sole candidate for re-election without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The omission triggered protests from some members, who insisted that the vice president be included in the endorsement.

There have been speculations that Barau and other top northern politicians would be considered as Tinubu?s running mate in 2027 but the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, said the discussions for the choice of his running mate have not commenced. (Channels TV)

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