By Paul Okah
Abuja
A Northern group, Arewa Youth Movement, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider picking a Christian from any of the Northern as his running mate in 2027.
At a press conference on Sunday, the
National President of Arewa Youth Movement, Amb. Muhammed Saad Aboki, said President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record landslide victory with a Christian from any of the northern states, instead of a fellow Muslim.
He said: “As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the political atmosphere is gradually heating up, with speculations and permutations taking shape across the country.
“Among the most discussed prospects is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose potential re-election bid could reshape the political landscape once more. While many factors will play into the outcome of the election, a compelling argument can be made that Tinubu stands a better chance of winning if he strategically selects a Christian Vice Presidential candidate from Northern Nigeria.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a seasoned political strategist and a central figure in Nigerian politics. His influence dates back to his tenure as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007, during which he built a formidable political network that now extends nationwide.
“Tinubu is the architect of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party that successfully unseated the then-ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. His ability to mobilize political support, manage alliances, and command loyalty within the APC makes him a formidable contender.
“In 2023 elections, Tinubu demonstrated resilience and strategic insight by navigating a highly competitive field and emerging victorious. Despite criticisms and challenges, he maintained a coalition strong enough to clinch the presidency. This victory cemented his place as a master tactician with a deep understanding of Nigerian politics.
“Nigeria’s political history is deeply intertwined with regional and religious considerations. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, major political parties have often maintained a balance between the North and South, as well as between Christians and Muslims. This balance is seen as a way to foster national unity and ensure inclusiveness in governance.
“Tinubu, a Southern Muslim, currently presides over a nation that remains sensitive to religious and ethnic dynamics. In 2023, he chose Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim from the North, as his running mate—a decision that drew mixed reactions, especially from Christian communities. Although the Muslim-Muslim ticket proved electorally successful, it also generated concerns about inclusiveness and representation, particularly among Northern Christians who felt marginalized.
“For the 2027 elections, a recalibration of this equation could yield electoral dividends. Selecting a Christian running mate from the North would address the criticisms of religious imbalance and broaden Tinubu’s appeal, especially in the Middle Belt and other Christian-dominated areas of the North.
“A Northern Christian VP would send a strong message of unity, inclusiveness, and sensitivity to Nigeria’s diverse religious makeup. It would help counter narratives that the APC is indifferent to Christian interests.
“The Middle Belt and Northern Christian regions are often battleground areas in Nigerian elections. A VP candidate from this demographic could help swing these states in Tinubu’s favor, neutralizing the PDP’s influence.
“Within the APC, there are Northern Christian figures with significant grassroots support and political capital. Elevating one of them to the vice presidency could strengthen the party’s internal cohesion and motivate broader support.
“One of the critical takeaways from the 2023 presidential election was President Tinubu’s electoral performance in areas with strong Christian populations. He lost in key strategic locations such as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, and Plateau states—regions with significant Northern Christian populations. These losses were widely attributed to dissatisfaction with the perceived religious imbalance in the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who positioned himself as a candidate of inclusiveness and reform, capitalized on this sentiment. His messages resonated strongly with Christian voters in the North Central region, especially in areas where concerns over marginalization and underrepresentation had persisted.
“The result was a notable shift of votes in favor of Obi in these areas, despite APC’s traditional presence and influence.
The implications of these results are profound. They underscore the importance of religious inclusivity in securing electoral support across Nigeria’s diverse regions. As such, they offer a strategic lesson for the Tinubu-led APC in its 2027 electoral planning.
“The 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket may not be sustainable in a second cycle, especially given the backlash it generated. Shifting to a Muslim-Christian ticket would be seen as a corrective measure and a gesture of goodwill.
“While it is too early to definitively predict Tinubu’s challengers in 2027, names from the PDP and other opposition parties continue to surface. Figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and younger emerging politicians could mount serious campaigns. However, many of these candidates may struggle to overcome internal party divisions, regional limitations, or national acceptability.
“Tinubu, on the other hand, has the advantage of incumbency, an expansive political network, and the capacity to rally key stakeholders. His strategic choice of a Northern Christian running mate could create a ticket that appeals across Nigeria’s diverse landscape.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is undoubtedly a strong contender for the 2027 presidential election. However, the path to victory lies not just in political capital and incumbency, but in building a ticket that resonates with the aspirations and sensitivities of the Nigerian electorate.
“Choosing a Christian Vice Presidential candidate from Northern Nigeria would not only help address the imbalance of the 2023 ticket but also strengthen Tinubu’s chances of securing a broad-based mandate.
“In a country where unity, representation, and inclusion remain key pillars of democracy, such a strategic move could very well be the masterstroke that delivers another electoral victory for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
