The decision by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to go into the 2027 presidential election with a Muslim-Muslim ticket has re-opened the debate that dominated the 2023 election.
President Tinubu, had, last week, renominated Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, a decision that is again generating mixed feelings among Nigerians.
While for the ruling party and their supporters it is a political master-stroke that would ensure stability and continuity, other Nigerians argue that in a multi-religious country like Nigeria, the same faith ticket is akin to discarding the feelings of the adherents of other faiths.
Before now, there had been uncertainty, different views, opinions, intensive debates and controversy over Shettima’s candidacy as vice president and the possibility of the ruling APC retaining the same faith ticket against the impression of many Nigerians, who opposed it prior to the 2023 election.
Groups like the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Northern Christian Elders’ Forum, NOSCEF, and Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, as well as individuals, have all expressed their views on the development.
Commenting on the development, the Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, applauded the decision, describing it as a demonstration of the recognition of loyalty, stability, courage and continuity in governance.
He said he was pleased that President Tinubu resisted pressures from different quarters to change his running mate, describing the decision as one that would strengthen national unity and policy continuity.
“I thank God that President Tinubu has remained steadfast and retained Shettima as
