Significant political pressure is mounting on President Bola Tinubu to reconfigure his 2027 re-election ticket, with influential forces from the United States advocating for a religiously balanced Muslim-Christian pairing. This external pressure is reshaping internal discussions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and casting doubt on the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate.
Key Contenders Emerge for Vice Presidential Slot
As the debate intensifies, several prominent names have surfaced as potential vice-presidential candidates should President Tinubu yield to the demand for a Christian running mate. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, is reportedly at the top of this list. Also under serious consideration are the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the current Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa.
It is noteworthy that both Bishop Kukah and General Musa hail from Kaduna State, while Dogara is from Bauchi State. The suggestion to replace Shettima, a fellow Muslim from Borno State, has been a topic of discussion since the mid-term of the current administration, even before the latest international pressure.
Internal APC Dynamics and Shettima's Future
Within the APC, there appears to be a division regarding the vice-presidential position. While a majority of the party's governors are said to support retaining Shettima for the 2027 poll, a faction close to President Tinubu had initially considered replacing him with another Muslim figure. Names previously floated included the former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The new demand from US political forces for a religiously mixed ticket has, however, complicated those earlier plans. In light of this, Tinubu's team is reportedly weighing potential incentives for Shettima should he be dropped from the ticket. Options being considered include appointing him as Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations or offering presidential backing for a presidential bid in 2031.
Potential Snags and Broader Political Calculations
The proposed 2031 plan for Shettima faces its own hurdles. Sources indicate that the same US interests pushing for the Muslim-Christian ticket are also suggesting that the presidency should rotate to the South-East region after Tinubu's tenure. This is viewed as a strategic move to promote national healing and greater political inclusion.
Furthermore, significant doubts surround the practicality of drafting Bishop Kukah into the political arena. Advocates for his candidacy question whether he would accept a political role and if the Vatican would grant him release for such a secular assignment. Approaches to Kukah are expected only if Tinubu's camp fully succumbs to the pressure for a balanced ticket.
This unfolding scenario sets the stage for a complex pre-election period, where domestic political alignments and perceived international expectations will critically shape Nigeria's path to the 2027 presidential election.
