Parties Weigh In on Tinubu‑Shettima Muslim‑Muslim Ticket
President Bola Tinubu’s announcement that Vice President Kashim Shettima will remain his running mate for the 2027 presidential election has reignited discussions about the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Muslim‑Muslim ticket. Political parties and stakeholders have shared their views on competence, religious balance, and the factors shaping leadership choices in Nigeria.
APGA Calls for Competence Over Faith
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) urged Nigerians to prioritise leadership ability when evaluating candidates. APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, told Punch that the 2027 contest should be judged on performance and governance capacity, not on whether candidates are Muslim or Christian.
YPP Echoes Similar Sentiment
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) echoed APGA’s stance, arguing that integrity, competence, and accountability should outweigh ethnicity or religion. YPP spokesman Wale Egbeola‑Martins said the nation’s core challenge since returning to democratic rule has been a deficit of purposeful and accountable leadership, not the faith of those in office. He added that YPP will continue to promote politics rooted in merit, national interest, and public service.
APC Defends Its Decision
The APC defended its choice to keep Shettima on the ticket, stating that the decision reflected in remarks by the party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim. He said the leadership weighed all relevant factors before retaining the Vice President, acknowledging religious sensitivities while also considering the broader interests of Nigerians. Ibrahim dismissed fears that the same‑faith ticket would deepen religious divisions, noting that the Tinubu administration has continued to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths.
ADP Highlights Electoral Calculus
The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Yusuf, suggested that the APC’s decision was largely driven by electoral calculations. Yusuf observed that parties typically assemble tickets they believe give them the best chance of winning. While religion remains part of political discourse, he maintained that electoral strength and voter acceptability often play a larger role in shaping candidate selections.
CUPP Official Downplays Ticket’s Impact
Mark Adebayo, former National Publicity Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), argued that the Muslim‑Muslim ticket is unlikely to dominate the 2027 campaign as it did in 2023. He predicted that voters will focus more on pressing issues such as insecurity, the economy, and the current administration’s performance rather than on religious identity.
IYC Urges Competence‑Based Evaluation
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) also called for Nigerians to assess leaders based on competence rather than religious affiliation. IYC President Jonathan Lokpobiri stressed the need for leaders who can make tough decisions and improve citizens’ welfare, stating that religion should not serve as the yardstick for leadership.
Speculation Over Possible Replacements
Before the APC’s confirmation, several prominent figures were mentioned as potential replacements for Shettima, including the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
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