Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise national unity by abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket and replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Northern Christian running mate.
In a statement on Tuesday, NENF leader Dominic Alancha stressed that inclusivity is critical to healing Nigeria’s religious and ethnic divisions.
The forum noted that while the APC won the 2023 election with Tinubu and Shettima, the Muslim-Muslim ticket generated widespread opposition and alienated millions of Northern Christians.
Reports suggest Tinubu may not retain Shettima in 2027, though the Presidency says any decision will be announced in due course.
NENF warned that repeating the Muslim-Muslim arrangement could cost the APC crucial battleground states in the Middle Belt, including Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, and the FCT, as well as parts of Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi.
“The 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket ignited unprecedented religious tensions, alienating millions of Christians and fueling fears of Islamization.
“Grassroots realities show that over 80% of Northern Christians rejected APC in 2023, costing the party critical states. Even Muslim groups, such as the Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, warn that retaining the ticket could backfire,” the statement read.
NENF highlighted that the 2023 election exposed the ticket’s weakness: President Tinubu secured only 36% of Northern votes despite the region’s Muslim majority.
They added that Labour Party’s Peter Obi, particularly in Christian-majority regions, demonstrated the political power of inclusion, signalling that a unified Christian-Muslim opposition could seriously undermine APC’s base.
“Nigeria’s founding fathers enshrined religious balance to prevent polarisation.
“Repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket betrays our national covenant.
“Vice President Shettima, though capable, cannot heal the wounds of exclusion. Selecting a Northern Christian from Plateau, Bauchi, or Taraba would broaden APC’s appeal without compromising merit,” the forum said.
It urged Tinubu to publicly commit to a balanced ticket, restore national trust, and ensure the APC maximises its vote potential across the Middle Belt.
