Ahead of 2027 general election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Farouq Aliyu, has argued that it is better in the interest of his party to keep its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The party chieftain explained that the demographic concerns, particularly in northern Nigeria, favour Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Aliyu made the comments.
He stated that he would back any decision made by the party and its leadership, pointing out that political considerations and party interests drive such decisions.
He claims that the APC has warned its members who interact with the media not to make assumptions regarding the party’s ticket or the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Aliyu said that the choosing of either a Muslim-Muslim, Muslim-Christian, or Christian-Christian ticket is totally within the discretion of the party and its candidate.
He said: “Well, I stand with my party actually, because these decisions for the parties and the candidates. So if, in the judgement of our party and our president is to go with another Muslim, so be it.
“And if he decides to go with the Christians, so be it.
You know, so and you remember, our party also has warned, as also spoken to us, those who have interface with the media, not speculate, at least on the Vice President Shettima.
However, it doesn’t matter if they are Muslim or not. It’s important. That’s actually, you know, I mean, time will tell. And whether a party chooses to become Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian, it is a political decision that will be made when the time comes. This implies that we as a party will determine whether to follow what is best for us.
“Any opinion I have will be subjective since, as I mentioned, the party and the candidate have the final say over whether or not I support them.
“And in my opinion, the numbers will be looked at whether to filled in a Muslim or a Christian. I mean, the figures are there to illustrate whether in the northern portion of the country there are among Muslims.
“It is absolutely without doubt there are more Muslims in the northern part of the country. Therefore, 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.”