By Kolawole Ojebisi
The senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Aliyu Wamakko, has refuted reports that he has declared interest in vice-presidential position and President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
Wamakko, who dissociated himself from nursing vice-presidential ambition, stressed that he has never either publicly or privately discussed replacing the current Vice-President, Kashim Shettima with anyone.
The former Sokoto State governor made this rebuttal in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abdallah el-Kurebe and made available to Punch Newspaper on Monday.
According to the statement, Wamakko described the claims as false, unauthorised, and politically mischievous.
“We wish to state unequivocally that Senator Wamakko has never at any time, publicly or privately, expressed interest in contesting for the position of vice president in the 2027 general elections, or in any political arrangement of that nature.
“Any insinuation or claim to that effect is false, baseless, and highly irresponsible,” the statement read.
It further added: “Let it be on record that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko remains focused on serving the people of Sokoto State and the nation through responsible leadership and political maturity, and should not be drawn into opportunistic narratives concocted for selfish motives.”
Wamakko’s rebuttal was made in response to a recent statement attributed to the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Abdullahi Yerima.
The lawmaker dismissed Yerima’s statement as a reckless and deliberate act aimed at misleading the public and dragging his name into “needless and unfounded political speculation.” while criticising the media for publishing the report without due verification of its authenticity.
According to the statement, Wamakko called on Kebbe council chairman to immediately retract the statement and issue a public apology to both the senator and his family.
Recall that there has been speculation that Tinubu is planning to drop Shettima for another running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
The recent development at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) North-east stakeholders summit in Gombe which was marked by chaos further fuelled speculations that insiders are aware of Tinubu’s purported move.
The speculation hinted at Tinubu possibly looking to the North-West, where Wamakko hails from, to pick Shettima’s replacement.
Meanwhile the presidency has since debunked planing to drop Shettima, saying Tinubu will announce his running mate after the party’s National convention.
