Farouk Aliyu, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserts that Nigerian Christians currently express greater comfort with the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential pairing than they did before the 2023 elections. According to Aliyu, the tenure of President Bola Tinubu has effectively debunked concerns regarding religious exclusion.
Speaking on ARISE Television, Aliyu discussed the president’s choice to maintain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the upcoming 2027 race. He explained that the party leadership chose to keep this specific ticket because it previously earned public trust. Aliyu emphasized that while the initial 2023 announcement sparked significant backlash due to fears of marginalization, those anxieties have not materialized into reality.
The APC chieftain maintains that President Tinubu governs as a national leader rather than through a religious lens. By retaining Shettima, the party aims to avoid the political instability that might arise from altering a proven partnership. Aliyu expressed optimism that the electorate would once again place their faith in the Tinubu-Shettima mandate when polls open in 2027.
