BREAKING: No more Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, Tinubu gets fresh warning

Several factors and scenarios are influencing the prospects of President Bola Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election.

The suggestion of replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate from the northern region has generated considerable pressure within that zone, with certain factions advocating for the removal of the former Governor of Borno as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 election.

Political stakeholders are calling for a balanced distribution of political offices, while religious leaders are also emphasizing the necessity of incorporating the principles of their faith into governance.

These dynamics could pose significant challenges for President Tinubu in the 2027 electoral race. Click link to continue reading article.

The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) has formally urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider any intentions of presenting another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the upcoming 2027 general election.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the organization, led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, articulated its position based on the necessity for national unity, the competitiveness of electoral processes, and the equitable representation of Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity.

NENF cautioned that replicating the 2023 presidential ticket, which featured President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, both of whom are Muslims, could exacerbate religious tensions and disenfranchise millions of Christian voters, particularly within the Middle Belt and northern minority regions.

The forum, which asserts representation for 127 ethnic nationalities in the North, indicated that the introduction of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 could jeopardize the All Progressives Congress (APC) in critical battlegrounds such as Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, and portions of Southern Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi, where Christian voters constitute a significant majority.

While acknowledging the competence of Shettima, the forum posited that his inclusion on the ticket may insufficiently address the prevailing sentiments of exclusion among certain demographics.

They recommended that President Tinubu consider selecting a Northern Christian running mate from Plateau, Taraba, or Bauchi to enhance the APC’s appeal on a national scale.

Moreover, the group highlighted the potential for a united opposition ticket involving Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, warning that neglecting the aspect of religious balance could undermine the APC’s support base.

Nevertheless, NENF pledged to leverage its purported 20-million-strong network to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, should he choose a credible and competent Christian candidate from the North as his running mate.

The group concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, where economic hardship, insecurity, and sectarian violence necessitate leadership that genuinely reflects the nation’s diversity.