Christians Now Comfortable With Muslim-Muslim Ticket – APC

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has claimed that most Christians in Nigeria are now comfortable with the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Yilwatda argued that the concerns initially expressed by Christians over the same-faith ticket, particularly fears of religious exclusion in government, had been addressed by developments under the Tinubu administration.

He made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to the APC chairman, engagements with Christians across the country suggest that many have become comfortable with the religious composition of the country’s leadership.

“Most Christians that we’ve engaged and we’ve spoken to them, they are very okay with the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“The thought and the fear of most Christians was that the Muslim-Muslim ticket may suppress their voices, but their voices are heard loud and clear now,” he said.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket generated widespread controversy ahead of the 2023 presidential election, with several Christian organisations and political leaders expressing concerns about religious representation and inclusivity in government.

Critics had argued that presenting two Muslim candidates for the country’s highest executive offices failed to reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity and the need for balance in national leadership.

However, Yilwatda maintained that the concerns surrounding the arrangement had eased, insisting that Christians now have their voices represented under the Tinubu administration.