Following last week’s renomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu for his second-term bid in 2027, some groups and individual Nigerians have reacted to the development.

Before now, there had been differing views, opinions, intense debates, and controversy over Shettima’s candidacy as vice president and the possibility of the ruling party retaining a Muslim-Muslim ticket amid concerns expressed by many Nigerians over an arrangement perceived as favouring one faith.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it is yet to take an official position on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the next presidential election.

Speaking with Daily Sun, the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the ACF had only received reports of the development and had not met to deliberate on the matter.

According to him, the choice of a running mate remains the prerogative of President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the forum would observe how the implications of the decision unfold before making any formal pronouncement.

“The ACF has only received the news about President Bola Tinubu’s reappointment of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate and is yet to debate and take a concrete position on the matter.

“For now, the Forum only wants to note that the decision remains that of the President and the APC. ACF will watch as the implications of the decision unfold,” Muhammad-Baba said.

On concerns surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, the ACF spokesperson said the more important issue should be whether any candidate combination delivers good governance and addresses the country’s challenges.

He noted that, ultimately, it is the electorate that will determine which ticket to support at the polls.

Muhammad-Baba also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in parts of the country, saying the forum’s immediate priority is the safe return of pupils and other victims abducted by terrorists and bandits.

While commending the successful rescue of abducted pupils in Oyo State, he urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of victims still being held captive in Borno, Kaduna, Kwara, Zamfara, and other affected states.

“We are happy for them, their parents and guardians. We want to see more of such rescues for abductees in Borno, Kaduna, Kwara, Zamfara, and other states without any further delay,” he said.

Also, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, describing the move as a continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that it says fails to reflect Nigeria’s religious and regional diversity.

In a statement issued by its National Spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, the forum said the decision represented “another missed opportunity” to acknowledge the strategic importance of the Middle Belt in Nigeria’s political landscape.

According to the MBF, the reaffirmation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket “means the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that excludes even Muslims from the Middle Belt.”

The forum, which said it was established in 1954 to protect the sociopolitical interests of more than 300 ethnic nationalities across parts or all of 14 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), argued that the region has continued to demonstrate goodwill and support for the Tinubu administration despite its predominantly Christian population.

“We believe this is another missed opportunity to recognize the strategic importance of the Middle Belt, a region that today gives President Tinubu’s administration tremendous goodwill and support despite having a majority Christian population,” the statement said.

The MBF further contended that the president’s decision could be interpreted as a lack of appreciation for the region’s political significance.

“By overlooking the Middle Belt once again, it would appear that the President does not place much value on the region and its 60 per cent voting population of Northern Nigeria, especially in our move to produce the 2031 President,” the forum stated.

Reiterating its longstanding position on national leadership, the forum maintained that Nigeria’s highest political offices should reflect the country’s religious and cultural diversity.

“The MBF has always maintained that the Nigerian presidency should reflect the country’s religious and cultural diversity, where Muslims and Christians do not have a clear majority,” Binniyat said.

He added: “In a multi-religious nation like Nigeria, with Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths, the highest offices of government should promote inclusion, fairness, and national unity.”

Despite its criticism of the composition of the presidential ticket, the forum said it had not taken a definitive political position ahead of the 2027 election.

“However, the Middle Belt Forum will not rush into taking a political position on the 2027 presidential election,” the statement read.

“Our position will be guided by the decisions of our Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC), which will carefully consider which political party and candidate will best protect and promote the interests of the Middle Belt and the unity of Nigeria.”

A chieftain of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, has criticised the decision by President Bola Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, describing it as a missed opportunity to promote national inclusion and unity.

In a statement, Olorunmagba said the reported reaffirmation of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket reflected “political convenience over national inclusion,” arguing that while the Nigerian Constitution does not prohibit such an arrangement, political leadership should also demonstrate sensitivity to the country’s religious and ethnic diversity.

According to him, Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require leadership that fosters national cohesion and reassures all segments of the population that they are adequately represented in government.

He said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could have sent a stronger message of unity by adopting a more religiously and regionally inclusive ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. Our federation is built on mutual respect among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and regions. A leadership that consciously reflects this diversity strengthens national confidence and reinforces the principle that no group should feel excluded from the highest levels of governance,” he said.

Olorunmagba also urged Nigerians not to focus solely on political symbolism or personalities in the lead-up to the 2027 elections but to evaluate candidates based on their competence, track records, policy proposals, and capacity to address the country’s pressing challenges.

He said issues such as economic recovery, insecurity, unemployment, accountability, and good governance should dominate political discourse as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.

The NRM chieftain added that Nigeria deserves leadership capable of inspiring confidence across religious, regional, and ethnic lines while governing fairly and promoting national development.

A Professor of Law and former military officer, Major Bello M. Magaji (retd), has thrown his weight behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate.

Prof. Magaji, a university don known for his contributions to legal education, institutional leadership, and national development, described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a “strategic and commendable decision.”

Also speaking to Daily Sun, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Anthony Sani, noted that the decision to reappoint Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate is simply democracy in action.

The Chairman of the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), Elder Sunday Oibe, posed a rhetorical question, saying, “The question to the proponents of Muslim-Muslim tickets is, ‘How is the market?’ Nigeria will speak at the appropriate time.”

According to Magaji, “In my view, the reappointment of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 election is a strategic and commendable decision. Beyond political symbolism, it reinforces continuity in governance, which is critical at this stage of Nigeria’s development.

“First, retaining the same ticket preserves institutional memory and policy consistency. The administration has already initiated key reforms in the economy, security, and governance architecture; changing the leadership configuration midway could disrupt momentum and dilute ongoing efforts. Continuity, in this sense, provides stability and allows policies sufficient time to mature and yield measurable outcomes.

“Second, the Tinubu–Shettima partnership has, over time, developed a working synergy that is essential for effective executive coordination. Governance at the highest level benefits greatly from trust, familiarity, and a shared strategic vision—qualities that are not easily rebuilt in a new political pairing.

“Third, from a political management perspective, the decision projects confidence and internal cohesion within the ruling structure. It signals that performance, loyalty, and alignment with the administration’s agenda are being rewarded, which can strengthen discipline and focus within government.

“While the Muslim–Muslim ticket remains a subject of debate in some quarters, it is equally important to assess leadership based on competence, delivery, and national impact. Ultimately, what Nigerians seek is effective governance, economic stability, and improved security. If continuity of this ticket enhances those prospects, then the decision is both pragmatic and forward-looking.

“In sum, this reappointment is less about symbolism and more about sustaining direction, consolidating gains, and ensuring that the administration’s long-term objectives are not derailed.”

Former ACF scribe Mr. Anthony Sani said, “If President Bola Tinubu sees a Muslim-Muslim ticket as his winning game plan for the ruling party, one cannot fault him. If this, to some people, is not a winning game plan, they are at liberty to counter it with their superior game plan. After all, we are in a multiparty democracy, which allows political parties to devise their own strategies. Democracy in action, one might say.”

Elder Oibe said, “I don’t have much comment for now rather than to wish them well. Nigerians should judge how well they have fared with the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket. The question to the proponents of Muslim-Muslim tickets is, ‘How is the market?’ Nigeria will speak at the appropriate time.”

APC chieftain Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election prospects, describing the reaffirmation of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the president’s running mate as a demonstration of continuity and strategic leadership.

In a statement, Alawuje said the president’s decision had reassured party supporters and reinforced confidence in the administration’s commitment to its Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, “President Tinubu’s decision to reaffirm Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate demonstrates continuity, stability, loyalty, and strategic leadership. It sends a clear signal that the administration remains focused on consolidating its mandate and delivering on its Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Commenting on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, which generated widespread debate ahead of the 2023 elections, Alawuje argued that many supporters now view the arrangement from the standpoint of political strategy rather than religious identity.

“Leadership should ultimately be judged by competence, performance, integrity, and commitment to national development rather than the religious affiliation of those elected to serve,” he said.

The APC supporter further claimed that public perception of the Tinubu administration had improved since it assumed office.

“In our view, many Nigerians who were initially skeptical have become more optimistic about the administration’s direction. They believe the Renewed Hope Agenda offers a pathway towards economic recovery, institutional reforms, infrastructure development and improved governance,” he stated.

He also maintained that the administration had renewed confidence among citizens who had previously become disillusioned with the country’s political system.

“Many citizens who had become discouraged by years of political disappointment are gradually regaining confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and in the administration’s vision for national renewal,” Alawuje added.

On the political landscape ahead of the next general election, he said President Tinubu’s decision had strengthened the APC internally while leaving opposition parties struggling to unite around a common agenda.

“Rather than presenting a united front with a clear vision and credible presidential candidate, the opposition continues to grapple with internal disagreements and strategic uncertainty,” he said.

He stressed that electoral success would depend on more than public commentary, insisting that “elections are ultimately won through organization, leadership, vision, and the confidence of the electorate—not merely through rhetoric, media attention, or political speculation.”

Alawuje urged all political parties to present their programmes and candidates to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 polls.

“As Nigerians look towards 2027, every political party has the responsibility to present its programmes, policies, and candidates for the judgment of the people. From the standpoint of APC supporters, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the candidate to beat,” he said.

Alawuje expressed confidence in the President’s chances of securing another term in office, adding that, “until a stronger and more convincing alternative emerges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains well positioned for re-election in 2027.” (The Sun)

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