A Northern forum has urged President Tinubu to replace Vice President Shettima with a Northern Christian in 2027, warning the APC risks losing critical states if it repeats the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that it could undermine the All Progressives Congress in key battleground states.
In a statement on Tuesday, NENF leader Dominic Alancha stressed that “the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket ignited unprecedented religious tensions, alienating millions of Christians and fueling fears of Islamization.” The group added that grassroots realities showed “over 80% of Northern Christians rejected APC in 2023, costing the party critical states.”
The forum argued that while Vice President Kashim Shettima is capable, he “cannot heal the wounds of exclusion,” urging Tinubu to pick a Northern Christian from Plateau, Bauchi, or Taraba to broaden APC’s appeal.
NENF warned that repeating the same-faith pairing could cost the ruling party support in the Middle Belt, Southern Kaduna, and other Christian-dominated regions, stressing that inclusivity was vital to restoring trust and strengthening national unity.