Pressure is mounting on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a religious balance on the presidential ticket, as he goes for re-election in 2027, Daily Sun can reveal.
Competent sources stated that forces from the United States have indicated a preference for a Muslim-Christian ticket in Tinubu’s quest to retain his position as president of Nigeria beyond 2027.
Following this, it was gathered that suggestions have been made of possible candidates for the position of vice president in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, is said to top the list of those being tipped as a possible vice presidential candidate to President Tinubu on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in 2027.
Also mentioned is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen Christopher Musa. Kukah is from Kaduna State, like Gen Musa, while Dogara is from Bauchi State.
Sources revealed that dropping Vice President Kassim Shettima as running mate to President Tinubu in 2027 has been touted since the mid-term of the government.
While most APC governors are backing the retention of Shettima in the 2027 election, it was gathered that some around President Tinubu want him dropped for another Muslim.
Sources revealed that the initial consideration before the pressure from the US forces on the Muslim-Christian ticket was to drop Shettima as vice presidential candidate and use either the former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari or the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as a replacement.
The latest demand from the US on religious balancing appears to have jeopardised the consideration to retain Shettima or pick another Muslim to run with President Tinubu in 2027.
Daily Sun learnt that the Tinubu team, in considering the US condition, is looking for an incentive for Shettima if he is eventually dropped as vice president.
The options, post-2027, are to make him Nigeria’s permanent representative at the United Nations and to give him presidential support to contest the presidency in 2031, sources revealed.
The snag in the option of supporting Shettima for the presidency in 2031 is the suggestion by the forces in the US that, after President Tinubu, power should rotate to the South East.
It was gathered that the elements in the US believe that conceding the presidency to the Southeast in 2031 would form part of the process for national healing and inclusion in the country.
Meanwhile, those pushing for the choice of Kukah as vice presidential candidate are expressing doubt if the Catholic Bishop would accept to dabble into politics or if the Vatican would agree to release him for the assignment.
Sources revealed that Bishop Kukah would be approached if the Tinubu team succumbs to the pressure to have a Muslim-Christian ticket in 2027.
Political pundits told Daily Sun that the US political elements’ interest in Nigeria’s election should not come as a surprise, as, in recent times, America has shown concern about Nigeria as it relates to Christians.
The US recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of persecution and killings of Christians by Islamic insurgents.
President Donald Trump had posted on his official X handle: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’”
The US president further said: “But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
He stated: “I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me,” adding: “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
The US president had threatened to take action against Islamic insurgents in Nigeria if persecution of Christians persists.
Trump made his threat true by authorising attacks on camps of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in Sokoto on Christmas Day
