The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed reports suggesting that he has been pencilled down as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda described the speculation as baseless, misleading and a needless distraction.
He also debunked claims that the ruling party is considering dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that no such discussions are taking place within the APC.
“Not true. Nobody is discussing anything about the issue of the vice president,” Yilwatda said, adding that the reports were merely “raising dust where there is no dust at all.”
According to the APC chairman, conversations around the choice of a vice-presidential candidate can only happen after the party’s presidential primary election has been concluded.
“The issue of candidature comes after the primary election. It is after that the party and the candidate will sit down to select and nominate a running mate,” he explained.
Yilwatda further stated that the rumours were being pushed by opposition elements seeking to distract the ruling party, stressing that no internal discussions on the matter have occurred.
“I laugh when I hear it. There is nothing like that at all. Nothing has been discussed,” he said.
He also recalled that he had previously warned APC political appointees and elected officials against making public comments on vice-presidential matters, urging party members to remain focused on governance and party unity.