Ahead of 2027 general election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Farouq Aliyu, has suggested that it is best in the interest of his party to maintain its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The party chieftain explained that the demographic considerations, particularly in northern Nigeria, favour Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Aliyu made the remarks on Friday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
He said he would support whatever decision the party and its leadership make, noting that such choices are guided by political calculations and party interests.
According to him, the APC has cautioned its members who engage with the media against speculating about the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima or the party’s ticket.
Aliyu explained that the selection of either a Muslim-Muslim, Muslim-Christian, or Christian-Christian ticket is entirely within the discretion of the party and its candidate.
He said: “Well, I stand with my party actually, because these decisions for the parties and the candidates. So if, in the wisdom of our party and our president is to go with another Muslim, so be it.
“And if he decides to go with the Christians, so be it. You know, so and you remember, our party also has warned, as also spoken to us, people that have interface with the media, not speculate, at least on the Vice President Shettima.
“But whether the Muslim, or, you know, non Muslim. It’s important. That’s really, you know, I mean, time will tell. And it’s a political decision which either party can take if a party decides to go Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian is absolutely political decision which will be done at the time when things are up, which means we as a party will decide whether to go along with the best for us.
“Well, whatever my opinion will be, it will be subjective, because whether I go for, you know, as I said, it is absolutely the decision of the party and the candidate.
“And in my opinion, the numbers will be looked at whether to filled in a Muslim or a Christian. I mean, the numbers are there to show whether in the northern part of the country there are among Muslims.
“It is absolutely without doubt there are more Muslims in the northern part of the country. So any party can decide to either pick a Christian.
“But I mean, if it goes in terms of numbers, certainly there are more Muslims in the north, which means it will be best for the party to take a Muslim, if you know, from the northern part of the country.”
