A northern Muslim advocacy group, Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a northern Christian as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election. The group argues that doing so would promote religious balance and strengthen national unity.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the group’s convener, Bala Duguri, the organization said its recommendation follows extensive consultations with Islamic groups across northern Nigeria. While reaffirming their support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which they say is yielding positive outcomes, the group emphasized the need for inclusivity in the next election cycle.
“In the spirit of national unity, the Christian community made significant sacrifices in 2023. It is only fair that Muslim political actors reciprocate that gesture in 2027,” Duguri said, referencing the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought Tinubu and Shettima to power.
Duguri stressed that a balanced ticket would help bridge growing divides and restore confidence among Nigeria’s religious communities. “As a Muslim organisation, we are calling on all potential Muslim contenders for the VP position to voluntarily withdraw for the sake of national cohesion and equity,” he added.
The group also appealed to key figures and organs within the All Progressives Congress (APC)—including the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the Progressive Governors Forum—to support their proposal.
According to the statement, the group is engaging major religious and traditional bodies to build a broader consensus. These include the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and prominent northern traditional institutions.
“This decision will not only deepen our democracy but also boost President Tinubu’s electoral prospects. A northern Christian on the ticket will secure a landslide victory,” the group asserted.
However, this position contrasts sharply with sentiments expressed by APC stakeholders in Borno State. In April, party leaders from Shettima’s home state issued a communiqué in Maiduguri urging President Tinubu to retain the Vice President as his running mate in 2027.
“The meeting prayed for Mr. President to retain His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima as his Vice President for his second term,” the communiqué read.
