Senator Aliyu Wamakko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, has firmly denied any involvement in plans to contest for Nigeria’s vice presidency in 2027, describing reports linking him to such ambition as “false, unauthorised, and politically mischievous.”
In a statement issued on Sunday and made available to The Telegraph, the former governor of Sokoto State and Sarkin Yamman Sokoto dismissed the claims as baseless. The denial follows remarks reportedly made by the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Abdullahi Yerima, and published in a newspaper (not The Telegraph), suggesting that Wamakko was eyeing the number two position.
Signed by Wamakko’s spokesperson, Abdallah el-Kurebe, the statement clarified that the senator had “never, publicly or privately, expressed interest in contesting for the position of vice president or any political office in the 2027 general election.”
The rebuttal comes amid internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the political future of Vice President Kashim Shettima. A recent North-East stakeholders’ meeting turned chaotic after leaders endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election without mentioning Shettima, fueling speculation that the North-West may be strategising to put forward a replacement.
The Presidency has dismissed these rumours, stating that Tinubu would choose his running mate only after securing the party’s nomination in line with constitutional procedure.
Senator Wamakko, however, categorically distanced himself from any alleged power play.
“Any insinuation or claim to that effect is false, baseless, and highly irresponsible,” the statement read. It further described Yerima’s comments as “reckless and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and drag Senator Wamakko into needless and unfounded political speculation.”
The senator’s office called on Yerima to immediately retract the statement and issue a public apology to both Wamakko and his family.
“Let it be on record that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko remains committed to serving the people of Sokoto State and the nation with integrity, responsibility, and political maturity. He should not be drawn into opportunistic narratives driven by selfish motives,” the statement concluded.
The senator’s team also criticised sections of the media for publishing the initial story without verifying its authenticity.
