Most Christians Comfortable with Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Says APC Chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, says most Christians engaged by the ruling party are comfortable with the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, where he defended the party’s decision to retain the same-faith ticket for the next presidential election.

He said Christians initially feared that having a Muslim president and vice-president could weaken their representation and suppress their voices in government.

However, he maintained that those concerns had not materialised, claiming that Christians had continued to enjoy representation and participate in the administration.

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

The APC chairman, who is a Christian from Plateau State, argued that the Tinubu administration had appointed Christians to strategic government positions, including key ministerial portfolios.

He cited the Ministries of Defence, Humanitarian Affairs and Solid Minerals as examples of positions occupied by Christians, adding that the administration had demonstrated inclusion in governance.

Yilwatda also dismissed allegations that Christians had faced discrimination or persecution under the current administration because of the religious composition of the presidency.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket generated considerable controversy during the 2023 presidential election, with several Christian organisations and political leaders expressing concerns over religious balance and inclusiveness in national leadership.

Tinubu and Shettima are seeking another term in office under the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.