A northern advocacy group, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider any plans to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the group, led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, emphasized the importance of religious and ethnic balance in national leadership, stressing that repeating the same religious pairing from the 2023 elections could deepen divisions and jeopardize national unity.
NENF argued that the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket sparked widespread discontent among Christian communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and rekindled fears of marginalization and religious bias.
The group warned that persisting with such an arrangement in 2027 could cost the All Progressives Congress (APC) critical support in key Middle Belt and northern states.
They specifically cited Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, the FCT, and parts of Southern Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, and Gombe regions where Northern Christians hold significant electoral influence as areas where the APC could lose ground if diversity concerns are ignored.
Despite expressing confidence in Vice President Kashim Shettima’s competence, NENF argued that his continued presence on the ticket would not be enough to address growing perceptions of exclusion.
Instead, they proposed that a Christian vice-presidential candidate from Plateau, Bauchi, or Taraba would enhance APC’s appeal while still upholding merit and competence.
The forum, which claims to represent 127 ethnic nationalities across Northern Nigeria, also voiced concern over a possible political alliance between Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, saying such a Christian-Muslim coalition could pose a serious challenge to the APC.
“As Nigeria grapples with insecurity, hunger, and growing sectarian tension, the country needs a leadership team that reflects its rich diversity,” NENF stated.
“This is an opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship and inclusivity. Choosing a credible Northern Christian running mate could be a defining decision for 2027.”
The group vowed to mobilize its network, reportedly over 20 million members, to support Tinubu’s re-election if a more inclusive ticket is adopted.
