Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has firmly rejected speculation linking him to the 2027 presidential race as a potential running mate to President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ismail Mudashir, Jibrin described recent endorsements from political groups, including the Northern Nigeria Progressive Youth Assembly (NNPYA), as “ill-timed” and counterproductive.
“My attention has been drawn to various posts on social media and in national newspapers, including those by the NNPYA, advocating for me to be chosen as President Tinubu’s running mate in 2027,” Jibrin stated.
“This is not appropriate at this moment and is not in the nation’s best interest.”
He urged supporters to focus instead on backing the current administration’s development agenda.
“I appeal to the NNPYA and others to stop this campaign and channel their energy toward supporting the President’s efforts to address the pressing challenges facing our country,” he said.
“This is not the time for political maneuvering. What matters now is the success of the President’s policies, which are already yielding positive results.”
Jibrin’s comments followed a tense moment at the APC North-East stakeholders’ summit on June 15 in Gombe State, where regional vice chairman Mustapha Salihu declared Tinubu the party’s 2027 flagbearer but made no mention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, triggering backlash from some attendees.
Amid rising speculation over Tinubu’s potential running mate, including names like Jibrin and other northern figures, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru clarified that the party has not initiated any formal discussions on the 2027 ticket.
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