Group Urges Tinubu To Replace Shettima With Northern Christian In 2027

The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to drop the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election and choose a Northern Christian as his running mate instead of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement on Tuesday, the forum’s leader, Dominic Alancha, said the move was necessary to foster inclusivity and heal Nigeria’s deep religious and ethnic divisions.

NENF argued that while Tinubu and Shettima secured victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, the Muslim-Muslim ticket alienated millions of Northern Christians and heightened religious tensions.

The group warned that repeating the same formula in 2027 could cost the APC votes in key Middle Belt states such as Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi, as well as parts of Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi.

“The 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket ignited unprecedented religious tension, with over 80 percent of Northern Christians rejecting APC,” the statement read, adding that even some Muslim groups had cautioned against retaining the arrangement.

According to the forum, Tinubu managed only 36 percent of Northern votes in 2023 despite the region’s Muslim majority, while Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s performance in Christian-dominated areas showed the strength of inclusive politics.

NENF maintained that appointing a Northern Christian, particularly from Plateau, Bauchi, or Taraba, would not only broaden APC’s appeal but also restore national trust.

It urged the President to make a public commitment to a balanced ticket, insisting that doing so would strengthen the ruling party’s chances in 2027.