The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised calls for another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has historically promoted religious balance in politics.
Kwankwaso spoke while reacting to recent remarks by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir, who urged Muslims to support another Muslim-Muslim ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jingir, speaking in Kano, had reaffirmed his support for the Muslim-Muslim arrangement, having backed the same ticket during the 2023 presidential election.
“I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam. I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again,” Jingir said.
“I know this statement pains the unbelievers. I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?”
However, reacting during an interview with DCL Hausa, Kwankwaso said Tinubu had demonstrated a preference for religious balance throughout his political career in Lagos State.
According to the former Kano State governor, Tinubu supported governorship tickets that paired Muslims with Christians or Christians with Muslims.
“I know His Excellency Bola Tinubu is a man who values balance and fairness.
“For all the governors he supported in Lagos, he ensured a Muslim-Christian or Christian-Muslim ticket. Even when he was the governor of Lagos, all his deputies were Christians,” Kwankwaso said.
Kwankwaso also referenced Tinubu’s marriage to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who is a Christian, while making his argument for religious inclusiveness.
“Even in his own home, he practices a Muslim-Christian ticket ‘in the other room’ — Tinubu/Remi,” he said.
The comments come amid renewed debate over the place of religion in Nigeria’s politics, particularly as political parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
