Tinubu Under Pressure To Replace Shettima As Vice Presidential Candidate

A Muslim organization from Northern Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Northern Christian as his running mate for the 2027 presidential race.

The organization, identifying itself as the Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, issued this recommendation through a statement released on Sunday by its spokesperson, Bala Duguri.

According to the group, this position emerged after comprehensive discussions with Islamic organizations throughout Northern Nigeria.

“Our organization has conducted extensive discussions across northern states with various Islamic groups to establish a unified position regarding the political trajectory of the APC-led government. The results have been very positive,”Duguri explained.

The organization contends that maintaining religious equilibrium is crucial for national unity, particularly following the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that brought Tinubu and Shettima to power in 2023.

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Although this pairing generated controversy initially, it ultimately secured sufficient backing to win the election. Nevertheless, Duguri emphasized that the Christian community’s backing during that campaign should now be recognized.

“The contributions made by our Christian compatriots during the 2023 presidential race, motivated by unity and national advancement, deserve recognition. The time has come for Muslim politicians to demonstrate comparable sacrifice,” he declared.

He additionally urged all Muslim candidates considering the vice-presidential position in 2027 to “abandon their aspirations for the nation’s benefit.”

The statement requested that the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and President Tinubu embrace a more representative strategy.

“Following comprehensive discussions across religious, ethnic, and political boundaries in the North, we conclude that selecting a Northern Christian as the Vice Presidential nominee in 2027 represents the most suitable path forward,” Duguri stated.

While Vice President Shettima has remained silent on this issue, political observers suggest that Tinubu may be experiencing mounting pressure to modify his electoral ticket.

Duguri emphasized that the group’s proposal stemmed from “sincere concerns about national unity, democratic governance, and the ongoing effectiveness of Tinubu’s administration.”