President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election has revived discussions over the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim ticket, with political parties, pressure groups and stakeholders expressing different views on the choice.
The debate resurfaced after the APC confirmed on Friday that Shettima would remain on the ticket for the next election, ending months of speculation that Tinubu could replace him with a Northern Christian. The announcement has brought back arguments that dominated the political space before the 2023 presidential election.
During the build-up to the 2023 polls, many Nigerians questioned the decision of the APC to field two Muslim candidates on the same ticket, arguing that it failed to reflect the country’s religious diversity. Despite the criticism, Tinubu and Shettima won the election, and the ruling party has decided to keep the same combination for another term.
Several political parties said leadership ability should carry more weight than religion. The All Progressives Grand Alliance maintained that voters should judge candidates based on competence and their ability to deliver results rather than their faith. The Young Progressives Party also argued that Nigeria’s biggest challenge has been poor leadership and not the religious background of those in office.
The APC defended its decision, saying it was made after considering the country’s political situation and national interest. Party officials insisted that fears raised before the 2023 election did not materialise, adding that the Tinubu administration has continued to promote peaceful relations among different religious groups. The ruling party also maintained that its choice was influenced by electoral realities and the need to retain a ticket capable of attracting widespread support.
Some political analysts shared a similar opinion. They said the 2027 election is more likely to be shaped by issues such as insecurity, the economy and the performance of the current administration than by religion. They also argued that political parties usually make decisions based on their chances of winning elections rather than religious considerations.
The Ijaw Youths Council also dismissed religion as the main factor for choosing leaders. The group said Nigerians should focus on electing leaders with the capacity to improve the country and solve pressing national problems.
However, some organisations opposed the APC’s decision. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders described the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as unfair to Christians and warned that it could deepen feelings of exclusion. The South-South Youths Initiative also criticised the move, claiming the party prioritised political calculations over religious balance.
The Middle Belt Forum expressed disappointment over the decision, saying many Christians would feel left out by the continued use of the same-faith ticket in a country with different religious groups. The group called for greater inclusiveness in future political decisions.
The Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, however, noted that many of the fears expressed before the 2023 election did not occur. The organisation pointed to the stable working relationship between Tinubu and Shettima as one of the reasons the President may have decided to retain his deputy.
In Abia State, APC leaders welcomed the decision, saying there was no reason to replace Shettima because he had worked closely with the President since they assumed office. Some stakeholders also said Tinubu had the constitutional right to choose his running mate and believed the existing partnership should continue.
A faction of Afenifere disagreed with the APC’s position. The group argued that another Muslim-Muslim ticket failed to reflect fairness and religious balance in a country with different faiths. It urged the ruling party to adopt a more inclusive approach ahead of the 2027 election.
The latest development has once again placed religion and political representation at the centre of national discussion, with supporters insisting that competence should come first while critics continue to call for greater religious balance in the country’s leadership.