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The All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2027 election has reignited the controversy that dominated public discourse ahead of the 2023 polls.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu re-nominated Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, a move that has once again attracted mixed reactions across the country.

While members of the ruling party and its supporters describe the decision as a strategic move capable of guaranteeing continuity and stability, critics argue that adopting another same-faith ticket in a religiously diverse nation disregards the concerns of Nigerians from other faiths.

Before the announcement, uncertainty surrounded Shettima’s position, with widespread speculation, conflicting opinions and intense public debate over whether the APC would retain the same-faith ticket despite objections raised before the 2023 general election.

Groups such as the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Northern Christian Elders’ Forum (NOSCEF), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), alongside several prominent individuals, have since reacted to the development.

Speaking on the matter, the Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, welcomed the decision, describing it as evidence that loyalty, consistency, courage and continuity are valued within the administration.

He expressed satisfaction that President Tinubu resisted pressure from various quarters to replace his deputy, saying the decision would reinforce national unity and sustain ongoing government policies.

“I thank God that President Tinubu has remained steadfast and retained Shettima as his vice president.

“That is stability at the highest level of leadership. I am proud of that decision because Shettima has been loyal, active, accessible and committed to the success of this administration,” he said.

Plang further urged Nigerians to make personal sacrifices in support of the Tinubu administration, insisting that the President’s vision, inclusiveness, courage and commitment to infrastructure deserve nationwide support.

Similarly, retired military officer and Professor of Law, Major Bello M. Magaji, also endorsed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, describing it as a wise and strategic political decision.

“In my view, beyond political symbolism, it reinforces continuity in governance, which is critical at this stage of Nigeria’s development.

“First, retaining the same ticket preserves institutional memory and policy consistency. The administration has already initiated key reforms in the economy, security and governance architecture; changing the leadership configuration midway could disrupt momentum and dilute the ongoing efforts.

“Continuity, in this sense, provides stability and allows policies sufficient time to mature and yield measurable outcomes.

“Also, the Tinubu–Shettima partnership has, over time, developed a working synergy that is essential for effective executive coordination. Governance at the highest level benefits greatly from trust, familiarity, and a shared strategic vision; qualities that are not easily rebuilt in a new political pairing.

“Third, from a political management perspective, the decision projects confidence and internal cohesion within the ruling structure. It signals that performance, loyalty and alignment with the administration’s agenda are being rewarded, which can strengthen discipline and focus within the government,” he said in an interview.

However, a chieftain of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, argued that the APC had missed an opportunity to strengthen national unity through a more inclusive ticket.

According to him, retaining the same-faith ticket reflects political expediency rather than national inclusion, stressing that although the Constitution permits such an arrangement, leaders should remain sensitive to Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity.

He noted that the country’s current economic and security challenges require leadership capable of promoting national cohesion while reassuring every segment of society that they have a place in government.

Olorunmagba maintained that the APC could have demonstrated a stronger commitment to unity by presenting a ticket that reflects both religious and regional balance.

“Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. Our federation is built on mutual respect among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and regions. A leadership that consciously reflects this diversity strengthens national confidence and reinforces the principle that no group should feel excluded from the highest levels of governance,” he said.

He, however, advised Nigerians to focus less on political symbolism or personalities ahead of the 2027 elections and instead assess candidates based on competence, track record, policy direction and their ability to tackle the country’s pressing challenges.

According to him, issues including insecurity, unemployment, economic recovery, accountability and good governance should dominate political conversations ahead of the next election cycle.

The NRM chieftain added that Nigeria needs leaders capable of inspiring confidence across religious, regional and ethnic divides while ensuring fairness and national development.

Likewise, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) criticised the APC’s decision, describing it as another indication that the country’s religious and regional diversity is not being adequately reflected.

In a statement signed by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum described the development as another missed opportunity to recognise the strategic importance of the Middle Belt in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The group observed that the retention of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket means the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim ticket that also excludes Muslims from the Middle Belt.

The forum, established in 1954 to protect the interests of over 300 ethnic nationalities across 14 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, argued that the region has continued to support the Tinubu administration despite having a predominantly Christian population.

“We believe this is another missed opportunity to recognise the strategic importance of the Middle Belt, a region that today gives Tinubu’s administration tremendous goodwill and support despite having a majority Christian population,” the statement said.

The group argued that the President’s decision could be interpreted as overlooking the political importance of the region.

“By overlooking the Middle Belt once again, it would appear that the President does not place much value on the region and its 60 per cent voting population of Northern Nigeria, especially in our move to produce the 2031 President,” he stated.

The forum maintained that Nigeria’s highest political offices should mirror the country’s religious and cultural diversity.

“The MBF has always maintained that the Nigerian presidency should reflect the country’s religious and cultural diversity where Muslims and Christians do not have a clear majority.

“In a multi-religious nation like Nigeria, with Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths, the highest offices of government should promote inclusion, fairness and national unity,” Binniyat said.

Despite its reservations, the forum stated that it has not yet adopted any political position ahead of the 2027 election.

“However, the Middle Belt Forum will not rush into taking a political position on the 2027 presidential election.

“Our position will be guided by the decisions of our Board of Trustees, BoT, and the National Working Committee (NWC), which will carefully consider which political party and candidate will best protect and promote the interests of the Middle Belt and the unity of Nigeria,” the group submitted.

The Northern Christian Elders’ Forum (NOSCEF) also rejected the APC’s decision.

Chairman of the forum, Elder Sunday Oibe, challenged supporters of the same-faith ticket to explain what benefits it has brought to Nigeria since 2023.

He said: “I don’t have much of a comment for now rather than to wish them well. Nigerians should judge how well they had fared with the Muslim Muslim ticket of Tinubu/Shettima ticket.

“The question to the proponents of Muslim Muslim tickets should be ‘how market?’ Nigerians will speak at the appropriate time.”

On its part, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it has yet to adopt an official position.

The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, explained that the organisation has only received reports of the development and is yet to meet to deliberate on the matter.

He noted that selecting a running mate remains the constitutional prerogative of President Tinubu and the APC but added that the forum would study the implications before making any official pronouncement.

“The ACF has only received the news about President Bola Tinubu’s reappointment of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate and is yet to debate and take a concrete position on the matter.

“For now, the Forum only wants to note that the decision remains that of the President and the APC. The ACF will watch as the implications of the decision unfold,” Muhammad-Baba said.

Addressing concerns over the same-faith ticket, he said the more important issue is whether any leadership combination can deliver good governance and solve Nigeria’s challenges.

He added that Nigerians would ultimately decide which ticket deserves their support during the election.

Meanwhile, former ACF Secretary-General, Anthony Sani, argued that President Tinubu cannot be criticised if he believes the Muslim-Muslim ticket offers the APC the best chance of victory.

He also said: “If the move, to some people, is not a winning game plan, they are at liberty to counteract it with their superior game plan.

“After all, we are in a multiparty democracy which allows political parties to devise their own strategies. Democracy in action, one might say,” he responded during an interview.

Political analysts, however, maintain that while the Muslim-Muslim ticket remains controversial, leadership should also be assessed based on competence, performance and overall impact on national development.

For APC supporters, the decision to retain Shettima is viewed as a move aimed at preserving policy direction, consolidating achievements and ensuring the administration’s long-term objectives remain on course.

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