As political alignments begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum has issued a strong warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, urging them to abandon any plans of repeating a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The group emphasized that religious inclusivity is essential for national unity and political stability.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by its leader, Dominic Alancha, the forum stressed that only a balanced presidential ticket can foster national cohesion and enhance the party’s electoral prospects.
Recall that during the 2023 general election, Tinubu, then the APC presidential candidate, selected former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate. The decision drew criticism from various quarters, particularly over the lack of religious balance. Although the Tinubu-Shettima ticket won the election, it was not without significant backlash. The NENF stated that the pairing heightened religious divisions and alienated millions of northern Christians.
“The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, representing the marginalised ethnic nationalities of Northern Nigeria, issues a clarion call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC to abandon plans for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027. Our demand is rooted in the urgent need for national cohesion, electoral viability, and justice for Nigeria’s diverse religious and ethnic communities,” the group said.
The forum pointed out that over 80 per cent of northern Christians rejected the APC in 2023, leading to the party’s loss in key states such as Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory. It added that several Christian politicians defected from the APC in protest over the controversial ticket.
“A repeat of the Muslim-Muslim ticket could see the APC lose Middle Belt states, where northern Christians command about 90 per cent of the votes,” the group added.
The NENF also noted that even some Muslim groups had previously cautioned against retaining a same-faith ticket. It cited the electoral success of Peter Obi in Christian-majority areas during the 2023 election as further evidence that perceived exclusion drives voter opposition.
According to the forum, the APC could face a formidable challenge if there is an alliance between Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, warning that such a coalition could erode the party’s support base should President Tinubu ignore the calls for inclusivity.
While acknowledging Shettima’s qualifications, the NENF maintained that his presence on the ticket would not resolve the underlying issues raised by the 2023 Muslim-Muslim pairing.
“We urge the President to make a public commitment to renounce the Muslim-Muslim ticket and restore national trust. Adopting a northern Christian vice president will broaden APC’s appeal, secure the North-Central and much of the Middle Belt, and raise the party’s vote share by up to 45 per cent in 2027,” the group said.
It further advised President Tinubu to consider a running mate from states like Plateau, Taraba, or Bauchi, describing the move as aligning with the inclusive leadership styles of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, both of whom ensured religious diversity in their respective presidential tickets.
