A former political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticized the president for keeping silent amid growing speculations that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be dropped ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said it was concerning that the president had not publicly addressed the matter, even after weeks of intense speculation.

“I would be very curious to know what’s fueling all these stories. Honestly, the president should have addressed this a long time ago,” he said.

Rumours have been making the rounds that President Tinubu may not retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 race. Though no official statement has confirmed such plans, many observers expected the president to personally dispel the rumours.

Back in June, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga brushed off the speculation, calling it a “non-issue.” He insisted that President Tinubu would only decide on a running mate after formally accepting the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination.

But Baba-Ahmed believes that a direct statement from the president himself would have laid the matter to rest and prevented unnecessary distractions.

“If the rumour truly holds no water, then a clear, public denial from the president would have sufficed. Silence only feeds more suspicion,” he added.

The growing buzz around Tinubu’s potential running mate for 2027 continues to stir conversations, with political analysts urging the presidency to be more proactive in communicating its stance on such sensitive matters.