Politicians often say that one of the biggest challenges for contesting executive positions, whether presidential or governorship in Nigeria, is the task of picking running mates.

Since 1979 when Nigeria adopted the presidential system of government where candidates for executive offices are expected to pick their running mates to qualify for contests, the journey has not always been smooth for both the presidential and governorship candidates.

Currently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 26 for the release of access codes to its nomination portal and July 11 as the deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars for the 2027 general elections.

By then all the parties are supposed to submit all information required to field candidates including that of their running mates.

Section 142(1) of the 1999 Constitution insists that “a candidate for an election to the office of President shall not be deemed to be validly nominated unless he nominates another candidate as his associate… who is to occupy the office of Vice President.

Due to the challenges involved in picking running mates, however, candidates that are yet to make up their minds usually submit any name in what is called ‘place holder; as there’s room for substitution along the line.

Our correspondent recalls that Bola Ahmed Tinubu as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 picked Ibrahim Kabir Masari as a place holder/ interim vice presidential nominee but later substituted him with Kashim Shettima.

Analysts say taking a final decision is usually complex because, rather than the decision resting squarely on the shoulders of the candidate, it is stretched widely to accommodate many interests that include geopolitical balancing, where the candidate has to pick his running mate from another zone to show inclusion; interests of stakeholders like the financiers of the campaign, traditional rulers, party stalwarts; age and gender issues are also factored in.

Prof Murtala Mohammed, a political scientist said several factors are considered.

“Governors evaluate the electoral value of potential running mates, including their popularity, grassroots support networks, political structures, and capacity to mobilise votes.

“Competence, administrative experience, leadership qualities, loyalty, trustworthiness, and even financial and organisational capacity are equally important in determining who eventually emerges as the preferred candidate,” he said.

Currently, all the eight political parties that have nominated their presidential candidates including the APC, are said to be discussing the issue of running mates.

The most curious has been that of the ruling party which ought to have been a settled matter but has become an issue because barely two years in office, it was widely reported that the president was contemplating replacing the VP with another.

Though the matter has been managed to a large extent, sources in the APC say it has not fizzled out totally.

A party source told our correspondent that as the ruling party, the president was expected to have declared when he received his Certificate of Return, that he would be running alongside the vice president in 2027, so as to foreclose the matter and ward off lobbyists.

“That he has not done so is an invitation for others to sustain the pressure,” he stated.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) which has Atiku as presidential candidate is also battling with who to come up with as running mate, though there are indications that the party may have zeroed in on former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Ameachi.

Though, the former Rivers State governor has said he is not interested in the vice presidential candidate position, sources in the party say pressure is being mounted on him by party leaders to accept the position as his candidacy would balance the ticket in terms of geopolitics and religion.

So far, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has its case settled as former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has agreed to be running mate to Peter Obi who won the presidential ticket of the party.

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) which has former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as its presidential candidate is yet to unveil its vice presidential candidate.

For the PDP, both factions are still locked in crisis and it is not clear what the party plans to do next.

In 2023, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, chose Haruna Garba Magashi, as his running mate. It is not clear if Magashi will run with him again.

residential candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, in 2019, when he ran as the presidential candidate of Peoples Trust, chose elder statesman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo as his running mate. It is not clear who he will run with in 2027, just as his candidature is still under scrutiny.

How choice of running mates affects chances of candidates

Analysts say the choice of running mates can affect the chances of candidates in elections both positively and negatively.

The choice of Yemi Osinbajo for instance by Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 endeared him to the Tinubu camp and made it appealing to Christian voters.

On the negative side, it would be recalled how in 2019, the choice of Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo by the governor-elect of Bayelsa, David Lyon, made him lose the mandate through a Supreme Court judgement.

Picking of running mates in states

Our correspondents report that the bigger issue lies with states where the governors are exiting.

As governorship primaries have been concluded across the states ahead the 2027 general elections, focus has shifted to the persons successful candidates would be presenting as their running mates.

A member of the ruling party in one of the North Central states told our correspondent that the governors; due to some factors end up pairing with people they have hardly related with or share common principles with.

“When the interest of stakeholders override that of the candidate, they end up working with people they’re not compatible with leading to friction or malice which is kept away from the public,” said the source.

Weekend Trust recalls that many deputy governors have fallen out with their bosses due to these factors.

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, while serving as deputy governor to Governor Orji Uzo Kalu of Abia State survived three impeachment attempts while Kofo Bucknor-Akerele had to resign to escape an impeachment when she was deputy to Tinubu who was then governor of Lagos State.

Our correspondents across the states report that while some candidates are currently trying to consolidate on their purported win as the parties are yet to issue them certificates of return, some have already decided on who to run with.

Weekend Trust learnt that Lagos State for instance, has already settled for Damilola Sonayon-James as running mate to the APC candidate, Obafemi Hamzat.

That of Lagos APC has always been faster as it is usually facilitated by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) who are influential in the political affairs of the state.

Incidentally, that is the state with one of the highest turnover of deputy governors due to incompatibility with the governors or clash of interest. For the other opposition political parties, our correspondents report that popularity or appeal to the non- indigenous voting population are considered.

Weekend Trust recalls that actress Funke Akindele was chosen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in 2023, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, based on her popularity.

For other states, like Gombe, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Oyo and Kogi, issues like religious balancing play major role while in states like Benue, Kwara and Niger, the ethnic question serves as the major decider.

Analysts say many reject being running mates because oftentimes deputy governors are treated as ‘spare tyres’ and never allowed any level of independence. Worse still, they are hardly given the needed support to succeed their bosses at the end of their tenure.

The past

Weekend Trust reports how in the Second Republic, it was a herculean task for Shehu Shagari to pair up with Alex Ekwueme, given the interest shown by others like Kingsley Ozurumba Mbadiwe and others in the position. At the end, it was said that it was Senator Joseph Tarka, who suggested that he looked the way of Ekwueme, given his financial contributions to the party and level-headedness, and he agreed.

But it was not that easy for Obafemi Awolowo of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), who for the sake of geopolitical balancing shopped for a running mate in the northern part, but couldn’t get any of the prominent politicians from the region to agree, and had to pick Philip Umeadi from the Eastern part of the country to run with for the 1979 race.

It wasn’t also easy for Nnamdi Azikiwe of the then Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) who could not balance his ticket with someone of a different faith and had to make do with a fellow Christian, Prof Ishaya Audu.

In 1993, MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) also had it tough deciding on who to go with. The choice for him was between Atiku Abubakar who had the backing of Gen Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Babagana Kingibe, who was a former national chairman of the party.

After much negotiations, he settled for Kingibe in what was later described as a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

His counterpart in the National Republican Convention (NRC) Bashir Othman Tofa ran with Sylvester Ugoh, a former banker who served as governor of the Central Bank of Biafra.

In 1999, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Olusegun Obasanjo had a tough time choosing between former governor of Kano State, Abubakar Rimi whom the party leaders wanted, but later settled for Atiku Abubakar while Olu Falae of the APP ran with Umaru Shinkafi.

Situation in states

Borno: 3 ex-dep govs, party chair in the APC race

In Borno, it has been a pattern that the deputy governor always emerges from the southern part of the state.

Of the six governors that the state produced so far, Borno North and Central had three each, but Borno South has consistently retained the deputy governor’s seat.

In the current dispensation, it is not clear if the pattern will change or be maintained, but the current APC gubernatorial candidate, Engr Mustapha Gubio, is from Borno North.

Party stakeholders say it remains Gubio’s decision to choose his deputy from Borno South or Borno North, but most likely from the South for inclusivity and votes.

Among those eyeing the deputy governor’s position from the South, according to sources are three former deputy governors who served only one term in office: Usman Mamman Durkwa; Ali Abubakar Jatau and Isah Mohammed Lawan.

Others are; the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Bello Ayuba and Sadiq Talba, a former Customs officer.

Durkwa, who spent only three years was brought in to complete the tenure of the deceased deputy governor, Zanna Mustapha, who died during his last tenure of office.

But, the tenure of the other two deputy governors was short-lived by the single terms of their respective governors.

Kaduna: Candidates reach out to Southern zone

The same pattern is playing out in Kaduna State, where the Southern senatorial zone is always given the deputy governor position except when Patrick Yakowa, who was from the Southern zone became governor.

In the APC, the issue of who will become the deputy governorship candidate of the ruling party in Kaduna State is still unclear because nobody currently knows who will replace Hadiza Sabuwar Balarabe, who is presently the deputy governor to Uba Sani in the state.

Hadiza’s tenure is coming to an end because by the next election in 2027, she would have spent eight years in that role.

She served as deputy governor under former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai from 2019 to 2023. Later, Governor Uba Sani chose her as his running mate during the 2023 election, and she has remained in office since then.

Reports indicate that because she will be completing her eight-year tenure in 2027, the Constitution does not allow her to serve a third term. Therefore, it is believed that Governor Uba Sani will replace her with another candidate.

It was gathered that whoever the governor chooses as his deputy governorship candidate will likely come from Southern Kaduna.

So far, no one has been officially announced, but some sources say the governor may choose a Christian from the region. However, it is still not known which gender the governor would prefer.

“Honestly, nobody knows who Governor Uba Sani will choose as deputy when Hadiza’s tenure ends. But there are indications that he may choose someone from Southern Kaduna, and that person is likely to be a Christian,” a source said.

In addition, some people have mentioned names of individuals who may be considered for the deputy governor position. These include the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Comrade Jerry Adams; Mrs. Charity Shekari, wife of a former deputy governor; and the Chairman of Kachia Local Government, Manzo Ezekiel. All of them are from Southern Kaduna.

Some believe the governor may consult groups from the region such as the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and traditional rulers before making his choice.

Others believe these are only speculations because the governor may change his mind at any time. Since the final decision is his, he will choose whoever he feels is most suitable.

In the opposition ADC, it is also believed that discussions have not yet started about who will become the running mate of Isa Ashiru Kudan, who was declared the winner of the party’s primary election.

A source said, like the APC, the ADC is also expected to choose a deputy governorship candidate from Southern Kaduna after consulting key stakeholders in the state. This is because ADC is a coalition formed by several political groups, not just one party.

“Ashiru will choose someone from Southern Kaduna as his running mate. Once he receives his certificate as the party’s candidate, discussions will begin with leaders of the coalition because ADC was formed by different political groups coming together.

“Even Nasir El-Rufai will be consulted to give advice on who should be chosen as running mate because he is a former governor and one of the leaders in ADC,” a source said.

It would be recalled that in 2019 when Isa Ashiru contested under PDP in the general elections, Sunday Marshal Katung was his deputy candidate. In 2023 when he contested as the PDP governorship candidate, Dr John Marcus Ayuba from Southern Kaduna served as his deputy. Both of them are now in the ADC after defecting from the PDP.

Lagos: A settled matter

Our correspondent reports that in the bid to compensate the Badagry Division of the APC, the governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat has been paired with Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as running mate.

The choice of Sonayon-James is being viewed within political circles as a strategic move by the ruling party to strengthen its support base in the western flank of the state while recognising the contributions of Badagry Division to the growth and stability of the APC in Lagos.

Our correspondent reports that prior to the governorship primaries of the party which produced the current Deputy Governor, DrHamzat as the flagbearer, there was agitation from the Badagry division to rule the state.

Earlier in March, traditional rulers from the Badagry Division urged the party’s leadership to zone the state’s governorship seat to the area ahead of the 2027 elections.

The demand was formally presented at a press conference addressed by Oba Olalekan Sejuro Ogungbe James, who spoke on behalf of royal fathers and key stakeholders from Badagry.

Also, Dr. Sameul Ajose, a governorship aspirant from the zone insisted on going ahead with the primary before he later stepped down to pave way for Hamzat’s emergence.

A source within the party said the agitation from the division played a major role in the choice of the deputy governorship.

Another source said, “The choice was a way of righting the wrong done to women when the party’s leadership chose a male-male ticket instead of the usual practice of male-female ticket.”

It would be recalled that since the return to democracy in 1999, Lagos has produced the highest number of female deputies. Former Governors Akinwunmi Ambode, Babatunde Fashola had female deputies just as President Bola Tinubu also had a female deputy when he served as governor.

A grassroots politician, Sonayon-James, currently serves as the deputy state chairman of the APC in Lagos State.

Zamfara opposition parties still consulting

The first and second civilian governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani, is from the Western part of the state and he picked his running mate, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, from Zamfara North. He subsequently handed over to him as governor while his deputy, Mukhtar Ahmad Anka, joined the ticket from Zamfara West.

AbdulAzeez Yari Abubakar was the fourth and fifth civilian governor and he picked his running mate, Malan Makkala Muhammad from the Central zone.

Bello Matawalle, who succeeded him comes from Maradun the Western part of the state and he chose his first and second deputies, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau and Sen. Hassan Nasiha Gusau, both from the Central zone. Governor Dauda Lawal, who is the seventh civilian governor picked his running mate, Malan Mani Mummuni from Bukkuyum, the western part of the state and he is likely to retain him for the second term.

Other opposition political parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) where former deputy governor, Mahadi Aliyu, emerged as its flag bearer, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) where Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa clinched the governorship ticket, and SDP, with Alhaji Hamza Musa Maibulawaus, are yet to pick their running mates but Mahadi Aliyu is likely to pick his running mate from the Northern part, just as Senator Marafa is expected to pick his own from Zamfara North.

Nasarawa: Zoning meets realpolitik

The battle for the APC deputy governorship slot in Nasarawa State is already testing the party’s ability to balance zoning agreements, ethnic calculations, and the influence of Governor Abdullahi Sule ahead of 2027.

Before the just concluded APC gubernatorial primary, Weekend Trust gathered that stakeholders from Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone struck a deal, that the deputy governorship ticket would be zoned to Nasarawa Eggon LGA, while Akwanga takes the Senate ticket and Wamba, the House of Representatives ticket. On paper, that should have narrowed the race, but in practice, it has opened a wider contest.

It was gathered that the zoning to Nasarawa Eggon reflects the North’s determination to secure a tangible reward after conceding the governorship ticket to Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. But zoning alone is not determining the outcome. Aspirants from Nasarawa Eggon have begun consultations. Party members from outside the zone with interest in the position are also lobbying key decision-makers.

This signals that while the Northern part of the state expects the slot to remain within its boundaries, the final choice will hinge on acceptability to the governorship candidate, alignment with Governor Sule, and the need for a balanced ticket.

Governor Sule and other top APC actors have not publicly endorsed any aspirant, but names from Nasarawa Eggon are already in circulation. They include John Bala, Director General of the A.A. Sule Senatorial Campaign Council, and Emmanuel Umbugadu, APC House of Assembly candidate for Nasarawa Eggon West. Weekend Trust gathered that their closeness to the governor gives them an edge, as Sule’s influence remains decisive in shaping the party’s internal dynamics.

However, the race has spilled beyond the North. From the Southern Zone, former House of Representatives member for Lafia/Obi, Joseph Haruna Kigbu, has been mentioned in the contest alongside two of Governor Sule’s appointees: Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Itake Elayo, an Alago from Keana LGA, and NAGIS Director General, Sunny Agasi, a Mighili from Obi LGA. Their inclusion suggests that loyalty, administrative experience, and the governor’s personal preference may carry as much weight as zoning.

Notably, all five persons jostling for the slot are Christians, a factor that could influence calculations around religious balance on the APC ticket.

The North insists the slot belongs to Nasarawa Eggon, where Bala and Umbugadu hail from. Kigbu’s inclusion, despite coming from Lafia LGA, is justified by his Eggon ethnic extraction, the same tribe dominant in Nasarawa Eggon. This ethnic link is being used to reconcile the tension between zoning and broader political calculus. A source said it allows the party to technically respect the North’s claim while keeping the door open for a candidate with wider appeal or stronger ties to the governor.

The unfolding permutations highlight a familiar pattern in Nasarawa politics, where zoning provides the framework, but ethnicity, loyalty, and power dynamics determine the final outcome. For Wadada, the choice of running mate will be critical in uniting the North behind his candidacy while also reaching out to the South and his western zones.

Analysts say picking strictly from Nasarawa Eggon would appease Northern stakeholders but could limit the ticket’s geographic spread. Opting for Kigbu, Elayo, or Agasi, on the other hand, would introduce Southern representation without alienating the Eggon base, and the shared Christian identity among the aspirants could also simplify religious balancing.

Governor Sule’s silence is said to be strategic as by not declaring a preference, he allows the consultations to play out while retaining the leverage to make the final call. His appointees in the race indicate he is not detached, and his endorsement could tilt the balance.

Adamawa: Opposition silent on running mates, speculations in APC

In Adamawa State, most of those that emerged as candidates in various political parties are silent about their running mates.

But the situation is different with the APC, because there are speculations that part of the negotiation between the legacy structure headed by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri camp, is that the legacy APC will produce the gubernatorial candidate and Fintiri would bring the deputy governor.

There are speculations that Fintiri is proposing to present the senator representing Adamawa Northern Zone, Senator Amos Yohannah for the position.

A source who spoke to Weekend Trust in Yola, said Yohannah’s choice is being opposed even in the Ribadu camp as many are not comfortable with him as running mate to Galadima Ahmad Tijjani.

Some have suggested the Special Adviser on Revenue Generation to the Governor, Mr. Chiwaren Emmanuel Abubakar.

Meanwhile, other parties including the ADC, Labour Party,NDC, YPP ,SDP, have not made public their preferred running mates for their gubernatorial candidates.

Benue: PDP, LP, APC pick running mates

Political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Benue State are gathering momentum as major parties intensify efforts to complete their tickets with the selection of deputy governorship candidates.

Our correspondent reports that while three major political parties in the state have announced running mates to their governorship candidates, others are yet to do so.

In the Labour Party, the governorship candidate, Dr. Mathias Byuan, has unveiled Mrs. Juliana Obetta, as his running mate, in what party leaders described as a historic and inclusion-driven decision.

Byuan announced the choice during an engagement at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi, saying the selection followed wide consultations and reflected the party’s commitment to inclusion, grassroots mobilisation and development-focused governance.

Obetta, who accepted the nomination, described the development as historic for women in Benue politics, pledging loyalty to the ticket and commitment to addressing insecurity and governance challenges in the state.

She is also expected to play a key role in women mobilisation as the party prepares for the polls.

In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) has picked 38-year-old Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa, as his running mate.

Ogbenjuwa, a security expert based in Israel, was unveiled during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, where the party also ratified Aondoakaa’s emergence as flagbearer.

The PDP leadership said the selection process followed party guidelines, while urging members to close ranks ahead of the general elections.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state may not have made an official announcement for the position, but Governor Hyacinth Alia has on several occasions indicated that the present deputy governor would continue as his running mate in the 2027 election.

However, some other political parties are still in the process of selecting their deputy governorship candidates.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is yet to announce a running mate for its governorship candidate, Herman Hembe, although it has set up a committee to recommend a suitable choice.

Also, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has Prof. Sebastine Hon as its governorship candidate, is yet to unveil a deputy governorship candidate.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has not concluded its ticket arrangement or announced a running mate.

For the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Terhemba Shija, said to be the governorship candidate of the party has yet to announce a running mate.

Gombe: The dice may toll to Gombe South again

As the 2027 general elections draws closer, politicians from the Gombe South Senatorial District have started strategising to become running mates to governorship candidates of their respective political parties.

Weekend Trust reports that the deputy governor position by tradition has been occupied by the zone since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.

The state is divided into three senatorial districts, Gombe North, Gombe Central and Gombe South.

However, Gombe North and Gombe Central, which are predominantly Muslims, produced all the four democratically elected governors from 1999 to date.

While, the North produced three of them; Governors Abubakar Habu Hashidu, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Central produced only former Governor Muhammadu Danjuma Goje.

Also, all the candidates that emerged from the three major political parties, are from Gombe North. Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Prof. Isa Ali Pantami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Meanwhile, Gombe South, a predominantly Christian zone and made up of four LGAs; Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom, have produced all the previous six deputy governors in the state, with the exception of Shongom, which is yet to occupy the seat.

The first deputy governor, Joshua Lidani, who deputised late Hashidu, is from Kaltungo LGA, while Balanga produced Goje’s deputy, John Lazarus Yoriyo and Dankwambo’s two deputies, David Albashi, who died in office after an accident and Tha’anda Jason Rubainu, with Charles Iliya coming from Billiri LGA.

The current deputy governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, is also from Balanga LGA.

Sources within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the party has already reserved the seat for Gombe South.

A source said politicians from the zone have already started jostling to be picked as running mate to the party’s candidate, Jamilu Gwamna.

A prominent name on the list is; Dankwambo’s former deputy, Mr Iliya, a onetime member of the House of Representatives, who served as deputy governor between 2015 and 2019 under the PDP, and later defected to the APC.

Also, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Moses Kyari, has featured on the list as a possible choice.

Ogun, Oyo APC yet to decide on governorship running mates

In Ogun State, the ruling APC leadership and the governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), have not openly named a running mate ahead of the next election.

However, sources told Weekend Trust that the party leadership has zeroed in on Mrs Kudirat Balogun Adegunwa, daughter of prominent business tycoon and CEO of Rite Foods, Sulaimon Adegunwa.

Mrs Adegunwa is an accountant with over 27 years of experience and is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Rite Foods Limited. She has vast experience in financial planning and analysis, treasury management, risk management, cost accounting, financial management, Weekend Trust gathered.

Mrs Balogun worked in the media and IT industries in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Our correspondent gathered that the current state Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, was said to be eyeing the deputy governorship slot, with many of his supporters and associates advancing his cause in the media space.

Okubadejo, who is also the Chief Economic Adviser, however, issued a statement denying that he had ambition to run with Senator Adeola as deputy candidate.

A media aide to the senator, Kayode Odunaro, told our correspondent that the party leadership is the most appropriate body to comment on the issue.

“Names are being mentioned, but that’s beyond me to comment on. Party leaders, elders, the governorship candidate, and relevant stakeholders are meeting to decide on that.

“I think the party leadership is the most appropriate to comment on that,” he said.

The spokesperson, Femi Nuberu, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

In Oyo State, our correspondent reports that the party leadership, as well as the governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, have not named a running mate as the candidature is still contentious.

A few days ago, governorship aspirant and former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, urged party members to remain calm and await the official pronouncement of the party’s national leadership on the outcome of the recently concluded primaries.

Adelabu also cautioned against widely circulated consensus arrangements on APC candidates for the governorship and other elective positions in the state for the 2027 general election.

Adelabu, who resigned as Minister of Power on April 30, 2026, contested the APC governorship primaries in Oyo State alongside eight others, with Senator Sharafadeen Alli, reported in several quarters as having won the primaries and emerging as the party’s consensus candidate.

While the controversy rages, there are speculations that Soji Adedeji, the younger brother of Zacch Adedeji, the NRS Chairman, has been penciled down as the running mate.

Adedeji was said to have contested for the House of Representatives in the 2023 elections, long before the current political permutations.

5 eyeing Yobe deputy governorship slot

With the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election in Yobe State, attention has shifted to who will emerge as his running mate.

Political observers believe the APC requires a deputy governorship candidate who is widely accepted, politically influential and capable of mobilising substantial support across the state. Although the party leadership has yet to make an official announcement, supporters and political groups have started promoting their preferred candidates for the position.

Multiple sources within the APC told Weekend Trust that the party is consulting widely and considering several prominent politicians for the slot.

Sources said Yobe East and Yobe North senatorial zones have effectively been ruled out in the power-sharing arrangement, leaving Yobe South as the most likely zone to produce the next deputy governor.

The APC governorship candidate, Baba Malam Wali, is from Yobe North, while former governor and current minister, Ibrahim Gaidam and Governor Mai Mala Buni, who will complete his second term in 2027, are both from Yobe East. This, according to party insiders, has strengthened calls for the deputy governorship position to remain in Yobe South in line with the state’s power rotation principle.

Weekend Trust gathered that Yobe South has consistently produced deputy governors, and most of those being considered for the position are from the zone.

Among the leading contenders is the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Saleh Samanja, who is said to enjoy the support of some party stakeholders.

Also being mentioned is the Chairman of Potiskum Local Government Area, Salisu Mutari, regarded by many as a political ally of Governor Buni.

Other names reportedly under consideration are; Alhaji Inuwa Muhammad, a governorship aspirant in the recently concluded APC primary election, and Dr Umar Ibrahim Majalam, a retired federal director.

A source also identified the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Bello Kawuwa, as one of the contenders for the position.

According to the source, Kawuwa’s consideration is linked to efforts to ensure inclusiveness and honour an alleged political understanding reached ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

The source claimed that Fulani leaders had sought the deputy governorship position in 2019, but were persuaded by the APC leaders to support the party with assurances that a Fulani would be considered for the position in 2027.

“When Governor Mai Mala Buni emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2019 and Idi Barde Gubana from the Kare-Kare ethnic group was chosen as his running mate, Fulani leaders approached Senator Ibrahim Gaidam and requested greater inclusion in government,” the source said.

“The Fulani community had initially sought the deputy governorship slot, but they were assured that the position would be considered for them in 2027. They were also promised the position of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, which strengthened their support for the party.

“With the emergence of the APC governorship candidate for 2027, the issue has resurfaced. Some stakeholders believe the next deputy governor should come from the Fulani ethnic group in line with that understanding.

“This is why Professor Bello Kawuwa, who is Fulani, is being considered among the leading contenders for the position,” the source added.

Efforts to obtain official comments from the APC were unsuccessful. Calls and messages sent to the party’s state publicity secretary were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Bauchi: APM unveils deputy gov candidate

In Bauchi State, only the Allied Progressive Movement (APM) has made public its governorship running mate alongside its governorship candidate.

The APM affirmed Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Dr Yakubu Adamu, as it governorship candidate and is paired with the Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Council, Mahmoud Babamaji Abubakar as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Commentators believe that the choice of Abubakar who is a two-term chairman of Bauchi LGA and former commissioner as running mate is to capitalise on his popularity, considering the voting strength of Bauchi LGA. (Weekend Trust)

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