Farouk Aliyu, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress, APC, has cautioned that a Christian–Christian presidential ticket would be unpopular in Northern Nigeria, arguing that such a move could effectively sideline Muslim voters in the region.
Aliyu made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on ARISE Television, where he weighed in on ongoing discussions about whether the ruling party should maintain or adjust the Muslim–Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to power in 2023.
Emphasising the North’s demographic composition, the APC leader noted that electoral calculations would be central to any decision on future ticket arrangements.
“In my opinion, the numbers will be looked at in deciding whether to field a Muslim or a Christian; the numbers are there to show,” Aliyu said.
He warned that substituting a Muslim candidate with a Christian in the North could pose serious political challenges for the APC.
“Certainly, if you drop a Muslim for a Christian in the North, you’ll have a problem,” he said.
Aliyu further contended that the backlash that followed the Muslim–Muslim ticket during the 2023 elections has largely subsided, adding that there is no evidence that Christians are being sidelined under the current administration.
“This government has got nothing to show on the ground that it’s favouring Muslims over Christians,” he said.
“So, I think the Muslim–Muslim ticket can still fly with the APC,” he added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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