Pressure is mounting on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a religious balance on the presidential ticket as he prepares for the 2027 election, Daily Sun can reveal.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Sources told Daily Sun that elements in the United States have expressed a preference for a Muslim-Christian ticket to accompany Tinubu in his bid for a second term. Following this, discussions have begun around potential vice presidential candidates.
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, is said to top the list of possible running mates. Also mentioned are former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen Christopher Musa. Bishop Kukah and Gen Musa are from Kaduna State, while Dogara hails from Bauchi.
It was gathered that the idea of dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima from the 2027 ticket has circulated since the mid-term of Tinubu’s government. While many APC governors reportedly support retaining Shettima, certain factions around the president have preferred replacing him with another Muslim, with former Zamfara Governor Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari or National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu previously considered.
Daily Sun learnt that the recent US push for a Muslim-Christian ticket has complicated the debate, potentially overriding plans to retain Shettima or pick another Muslim running mate. Sources indicated that if Shettima is dropped, the Tinubu team is exploring incentives, including making him Nigeria’s permanent representative at the United Nations or backing a 2031 presidential bid. However, US political elements have reportedly suggested that power should rotate to the South East in 2031 as part of national reconciliation.
Those advocating for Bishop Kukah as vice president, however, have expressed uncertainty over whether he would accept a political role or if the Vatican would release him for such an assignment. Sources said he would only be approached if Tinubu’s team yields to the pressure for a Muslim-Christian ticket.
Political analysts told Daily Sun that US interest in Nigeria’s elections is consistent with America’s recent focus on the protection of Christians in the country. The US had recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians by Islamic insurgents.
Former US President Donald Trump had posted on X, stating: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’” He further called on Congress to investigate the matter and declared: “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Trump later authorised attacks on camps of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in Sokoto on Christmas Day in response to continued persecution of Christians.
The revelations highlight the international dimension of Nigeria’s 2027 election planning and the complex interplay of domestic and foreign pressures shaping the composition of the presidential ticket.
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