The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against fielding another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections. The group stressed that inclusivity is essential for Nigeria’s unity and stability.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its leader, Dominic Alancha, the NENF argued that a balanced presidential ticket would strengthen national cohesion and improve the party’s electoral chances.
It will be recalled that during the 2023 elections, Tinubu, as the APC candidate, chose former Borno State governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate despite widespread criticism. Although both men eventually won the election, the decision sparked significant backlash. According to the NENF, the choice heightened religious tension and alienated millions of northern Christians.
Need for National Cohesion – NENF
“The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, representing the marginalized 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 statement read.
The forum emphasized that more than 80 percent of northern Christians rejected the APC in 2023, which contributed to the party’s loss in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory. It also noted that several Christian politicians defected from the APC in protest.
APC Risks Losing Middle Belt States
The group warned that repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 could have dire consequences for the party’s electoral prospects.
“A repeat of the Muslim-Muslim ticket could see the APC lose Middle Belt states, where northern Christians command about 90 percent of the votes,” the statement added.
The NENF also pointed out that even some Muslim groups had advised against retaining the same ticket. It noted that Peter Obi’s sweeping victories in Christian-dominated areas in 2023 demonstrated how exclusionary politics fuels opposition support.
According to the group, a possible Obi–Atiku alliance in 2027 could further weaken the APC if Tinubu fails to heed the warning.
While acknowledging Vice President Kashim Shettima’s competence, the forum maintained that his candidacy cannot resolve the grievances created by the 2023 pairing.
Call for an Inclusive Ticket
“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 the APC’s appeal, secure the North-Central and much of the Middle Belt, and potentially increase the party’s vote share by up to 45 percent in 2027,” the statement said.
The forum recommended that Tinubu consider selecting a running mate from Plateau, Taraba, or Bauchi State, describing such a move as an inclusive approach similar to the models adopted by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, both of whom maintained religious balance on their presidential tickets.
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