Farouq Aliyu, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that it would be desirable for his party to keep its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party head clarified that Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets are favored by demographic factors, especially in northern Nigeria.
The comments were made by Aliyu on Friday during an appearance on the Morning Show on Arise Television.
He stated that he would back any decision made by the party and its leadership, pointing out that political considerations and party interests influence these decisions.
He claims that the APC has warned its members not to discuss Vice President Kashim Shettima’s future or the party’s ticket with the media.
The choice of a Muslim-Muslim, Muslim-Christian, or Christian-Christian ticket is totally up to the party and its candidate, Aliyu clarified.
“Well, I stand with my party actually because these decisions are for the parties and the candidates,” he stated. Therefore, it’s okay if our president and party decide to choose another Muslim.
“And if he decides to go with the Christians, so be it. As you are aware, our party has also cautioned those who interact with the media to refrain from speculating, at least about Vice President Shettima.
However, whether they are Muslim or, you know, not. It’s critical. Really, time will tell, I suppose. And it’s a political decision which either party can take if a party decides to go Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian is totally 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.
In my view, the figures will be examined to determine whether to include a Christian or a Muslim. I mean, the figures are there to demonstrate whether there are any Muslims in the country’s northern region.
Without a doubt, there are more Muslims in the country’s northern regions. Thus, any party may choose to choose 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.”
