Presidential Candidates Shop for Running Mates, Atiku Considers Amaechi, Ihedioha

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

With the achievement of the May 30 deadline fixed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the emergence of presidential candidates, the victorious candidates have commenced a search for running mates.

Though some had immediately announced their running mates, like Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi, who had already picked former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso as his vice presidential running mate.

It is not certain whether President Bola Tinubu would retain the vice president, Senator Kassim Shettima, as his running mate.

While it is not a constitutional matter, most of the presidential candidates are said to be planning to maintain a religious balance of Christian-Muslim ticket for the January 2027 presidential election.

The choice of a running mate is considered important because it helps to boost the support of the presidential candidate from the deputy’s geopolitical zone.

Under the circumstances, where the presidential candidate is a Muslim, it is expected that the running mate would be a Christian, to ensure religious balance.

In the case of Tinubu, it is still not clear if he would repeat the 2023 gamble of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, despite the agitation of Christians for a vice presidential slot.

Due to the recent turn of events in the country, religion and tribe could play a prominent role in the forthcoming presidential election.

The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is yet to openly announce his running mate. But sources close to his camp say he may be looking for a capable running mate that would help break the stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the south.

Three camps have emerged. The first camp is rooting for National Secretary of ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, as Atiku’s running mate. He is from Osun State but the odds against him include the fact that he is a Muslim.

A source said, “Atiku cannot afford to take the gamble of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.”

Next are those suggesting Chibuike Amaechi from Rivers State, South-south, as vice presidential candidate to Atiku.

Though, Amaechi had said he did not purchase the presidential nomination form to become a vice presidential candidate to anyone.

However, given recent meetings, where Atiku meet with Amaechi to discuss the post-presidential nomination issues, it is still not known if Amaechi would maintain his position.

Still, there are propositions that former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, Atiku’s long-time political associate, should be his running mate. Ihedioha’s name has featured on several occasions as a potential running mate, but Atiku is yet to confirm or deny it.

Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is also believed to be under consideration as vice presidential candidate to run with Atiku.

She is from Delta State, but married to Professor Iweala from Abia State. Her tenure still subsists till 2027.

Okonjo-Iweala’s economic management background may count her favour.

For Accord party, those close to  Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a Christian from the Middle Belt, with mixed parentage, his father being Hausa and mother Yoruba, say he is considering picking a Muslim  running mate from  Edo State.

According to a source close to his presidential campaign, Hashim’s presidential running mate is going to be a Christian and would be announced soon.

In Labour Party, the presidential candidate, Chibuzor Okereke, from the South-east, is a Christian and may announce his choice of running mate, possibly a Muslim from any of the three geopolitical zones of the north.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate. Jonathan has yet to officially accept the presidential nomination or deny it.

The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is pushing his presidential ambition on the platform of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Before Governor Bala Mohammed defected from PDP to APM, it was perceived that Seyi Makinde might run with him.

But Mohammed purchased the senatorial ticket in Bauchi State. It is still not known if he would later dump his senatorial ambition to become running mate to Makinde.