An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Farouk Aliyu, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has not marginalised Christians and should remain the party’s strategy.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Aliyu said the APC’s decision to retain the ticket was based on the belief that the administration had demonstrated fairness to Nigerians regardless of religion.
According to him, fears expressed by many Christians ahead of the 2023 election that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would lead to their marginalisation had not materialised.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think the APC decided, well, our leader, the President, decided in his wisdom not to change the winning ticket. And the Christians in this country, I’m sure, are now much more comfortable than when we came up with the Muslim-Muslim ticket.”
He added:”That was when there was a lot of hue and cry that Christians were going to be marginalised. Well, now it’s history that nobody has been marginalised along religious lines. President Tinubu has been leading this country as a Nigerian, not anybody with any religious toga.”
Aliyu said the APC was pleased with the decision to retain Shettima, noting that changing the ticket would have created unnecessary political uncertainty within the party.
“It is our own decision, the party, through the leader, to retain Kashim Shettima. We are very happy that the ticket has not been tinkered with. We’ve tried it when it was hectic, when it was almost impossible, and Nigerians believed in us, gave us the chance, and we’re doing it again.”
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would once again support the party.
“We hope Nigerians will believe in us and give us a chance again with the Muslim-Muslim ticket.”
Addressing comparisons with the late Chief MKO Abiola’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 1993, Aliyu argued that Nigeria’s religious climate has changed significantly
“Unfortunately, between when MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe came and now, a lot of things have happened in this country—a lot of religious intolerance and violence. That’s why the case is completely different now.”
Nevertheless, he maintained that the Tinubu administration had disproved fears of religious bias.
“When President Tinubu came with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Christians thought Nigeria was going to be Islamised, and behold, that didn’t happen. There is no toga of religious intolerance on the part of our government. Our government is for all Nigerians irrespective of religion.”
Aliyu also dismissed claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, insisting that terrorist attacks affect citizens regardless of faith.
“As far as this government is concerned, there is no Christian genocide. It is genocide against Nigerians. Boko Haram and other bandits attack everybody. They have no religious toga.”
He said the APC’s decision to field another Muslim-Muslim ticket remained a political strategy that Nigerians would ultimately judge at the polls.
“This is our own strategy. We are going with the Muslim-Muslim ticket and it will be left for Nigerians to decide whether it is still acceptable. If Nigerians decide they don’t want it, so be it.”
Aliyu stressed that President Tinubu governs without religious bias.
“President Tinubu has no religious toga, no religious bias against anybody. He has treated both religions equally, and the government has not placed one religion above another.”
While acknowledging that religion and ethnicity continue to influence Nigerian politics, the APC chieftain expressed hope that future elections would be determined by competence rather than identity.
“Leaders need to show that whether you voted for me or not, you are all mine. Leaders must show empathy and demonstrate that they are leaders for everybody—not for a tribe, religion or ethnicity.”
He added that Nigeria’s political elite often work together without religious or ethnic divisions, arguing that such unity should filter down to the wider society.
“At the level of the elite, we are one and the same. There is no issue of religious or ethnic bias. That understanding should trickle down.”
Aliyu urged Nigerians to focus on leadership qualities instead of religious or ethnic considerations.
“A good leader has got nothing to do with where you come from, your religion or your ethnicity. A good leader is a good leader irrespective of where you come from.”
He further stated:
“Poverty knows no religion. Leadership knows no religion. Whatever crisis we are facing in this country knows no religion. The earlier Nigerians come together and choose leaders based on their ability to unite the country, the better.”
Responding to reports that President Tinubu faced pressure to replace Shettima with a Christian running mate, Aliyu said only the President could confirm whether such pressure existed.
“That is politics for you. There could have been pressure, but only Mr President can answer that question.”
He disclosed, however, that some APC leaders had advised Tinubu to retain the existing ticket.
“Part of our advice was, ‘Mr President, if possible, maintain the Muslim-Muslim ticket because Nigerian Christians now understand that you are not against them.’ We agreed with Kashim Shettima remaining as the vice-presidential candidate, and we are happy he did.”
Aliyu concluded that speculation over pressure on the President remained unverified.
“Whether there was pressure or not, I don’t know. These are all speculations. Mr President is a tough man, and he knows his audience.
Boluwatife Enome
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