Some Christian organisations have renewed their opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to retain President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, despite official figures and recent appointment data showing that Christians constitute the majority of political appointees under the current administration.
The renewed campaign against the Muslim-Muslim ticket comes from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) and the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN), all of which have argued that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in the country’s highest political office.
The development has once again brought the Muslim-Muslim ticket debate to the forefront of national discourse, nearly four years after it dominated conversations ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Before the 2023 polls, several Christian groups had warned that electing two Muslims as President and Vice President could lead to the marginalisation of Christians in federal appointments and governance.
However, after President Tinubu assumed office, the Presidency released data showing that Christians accounted for about 62 per cent of political appointments, while Muslims and others made up approximately 38 per cent. The figures were presented as evidence that fears of religious exclusion had not materialised.
More than a year later, Muslim News Nigeria’s review of federal appointments indicates that the pattern has remained largely unchanged.
This newspaper found that additional appointments made after the Presidency released its figures have continued to favour Christians, including appointments to offices previously occupied by Muslims. For instance, Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, a Christian, replaced Chief Adebayo Adelabu, a Muslim, as Minister of Power, while Professor Segun Aina, a Christian, succeeded Professor Is-haq Oloyede, a Muslim, as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
However, despite benefiting from several key federal appointments under the Tinubu administration, some Christian organisations have maintained their opposition to the retention of the Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket, insisting that the ruling APC should field a Christian as the vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
In a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said it does not support the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for elective public office.
The fellowship argued that Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation whose diversity should be reflected in its leadership, adding that inclusive governance promotes national unity, mutual trust and a sense of belonging.
Similarly, the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) rejected the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket and urged President Tinubu not to seek a second term, arguing that the administration had not met citizens’ expectations in critical areas, including security, the economy and public welfare.
The forum also described the retention of the same ticket as insensitive to concerns about inclusion and national cohesion.
In another development, the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN) petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and diplomatic missions, urging international attention to what it described as the implications of retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 election.
The coalition argued that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in its political leadership and called for greater international engagement on issues affecting Christian communities.
The renewed opposition comes despite the absence of any constitutional provision requiring the offices of President and Vice President to be shared between adherents of different religions.
Political parties are constitutionally empowered to nominate candidates of their choice, subject to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
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