Governor Abdullahi Sule Advocates for Christian-Christian Ticket in Nigeria
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule stated that the 1999 Constitution does not compel political parties or governments to balance appointments or electoral tickets along religious lines.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Sule responded to remarks made by the 2027 vice‑presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, concerning representation and political inclusion.
“I think it is normal for Senator Kwankwaso, whom I respect a lot, to say that because he’s opposition. He cannot say anything good. It is expected of him to say that.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule
The governor argued that constitutional provisions on inclusion are frequently interpreted beyond their actual meaning. He pointed out that Section 14(3) addresses federal character and equitable representation, while Section 15 deals with ethnicity and national integration—neither mentions religion.
“There is no place where it talks about religion. Section 14 didn’t talk about religion. Section 15 did not talk about religion,” Sule emphasized.
Sule cited the elections of President Bola Tinubu and Vice‑President Kashim Shettima on a Muslim‑Muslim ticket, as well as the 1993 presidential bid of Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, also both Muslims, as evidence that same‑faith tickets can succeed.
“You can see both elections have been clear that the Muslim‑Muslim ticket has won. I pray that one day Nigeria will have a Christian‑Christian ticket, and it will win.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule
He added that the success of such tickets shows Nigerians can vote based on factors other than religion.
Regarding his own administration, Sule said his decision to keep a Christian deputy governor, Emmanuel Akabe, in Nasarawa State is rooted in competence, not a constitutional religious requirement.
“I have always had a Christian as a deputy, Emmanuel Akabe. In Nasarawa State, it has always been a Christian. We thought it was important because Emmanuel Akabe is competent and our state is different from Nigeria.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule
The governor cautioned against using the political realities of individual states as a blanket standard for national arrangements, noting that some predominantly Christian states already have Christian‑Christian governor‑deputy pairs, such as Enugu and Bayelsa.
Sule concluded that political parties and leaders should be free to select candidates based on competence, electoral calculations, and local circumstances rather than religion alone.
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