North Unlikely to Back Christian–Christian Ticket, Says APC Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Farouk Aliyu, says the North would not be comfortable with a Christian–Christian presidential ticket, warning that such a combination could alienate Muslim voters in the region.

Aliyu made the remarks on Friday during an interview on ARISE Television while reacting to ongoing debates about whether the APC should retain or review the Muslim–Muslim ticket that produced President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 election.

According to him, electoral decisions in the North are largely influenced by religious demographics, noting that Muslims constitute the majority of voters in the region.

“In my opinion, the numbers will always be considered when deciding whether to field a Muslim or a Christian. There is no doubt that Muslims are more in the North. Any party can choose to field a Christian, but if you go by numbers, Muslims are more, and that is what works best for the party,” he said.

Aliyu cautioned that replacing a Muslim candidate with a Christian in the North could pose serious electoral challenges for the ruling party.

“If you drop a Muslim for a Christian in the North, you will definitely have a problem,” he stated.

He also argued that the controversy surrounding the Muslim–Muslim ticket in 2023 has largely subsided, insisting that the Tinubu administration has not shown any bias against Christians.

“This government has nothing on the ground to suggest that it is favouring Muslims over Christians. I believe the Muslim–Muslim ticket can still work for the APC,” Aliyu said.

When asked directly whether the North would support a Christian–Christian presidential ticket, the APC chieftain dismissed the idea.

“From what I know of the North, it will not be comfortable with a Christian–Christian ticket because that would completely alienate Muslims in the region,” he said.