As 2027 presidential election dey come, Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum don beg President Bola Tinubu make e drop Vice President Kashim Shettima and no repeat Muslim-Muslim ticket again. Dem talk say make everybody dey included for government matter to keep Nigeria united.
For statement wey dem release on Tuesday, the group leader, Dominic Alancha, talk say na only balanced representation fit bring national unity.
Even though people vex well during 2023 campaign, Tinubu wey be APC candidate that time still choose Shettima wey be former Borno State governor as him running mate. Dem win the election under APC.
Some reports dey talk say Tinubu fit no carry Shettima again for 2027, but Presidency don talk say na Tinubu go announce him decision when the time reach.
Some people believe say as APC don replace Abdullahi Ganduje with Netanwe Yilwatda as National Chairman, e fit mean say dem wan repeat Muslim-Muslim ticket again.
But NENF don warn say if APC try am again, dem fit lose important states for Middle Belt like Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and FCT, plus places like Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Gombe and Bauchi.
Dem talk say: “Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum wey dey represent the ethnic groups wey dem dey marginalize for Northern Nigeria dey tell President Tinubu and APC make dem cancel any plan wey go bring Muslim-Muslim ticket for 2027. Wetin we dey ask na for unity, better election result and justice for all the different religious and ethnic people wey dey Nigeria.”
The group talk say the Muslim-Muslim ticket wey APC use for 2023 election cause plenty religious tension, push many Christians away and make people dey fear say dem wan turn Nigeria to Islamic country. Dem mention say Christian Association of Nigeria don warn before say that kind strategy fit give power to bad groups wey fit scatter national unity.
According to NENF, over 80% of northern Christians no vote APC for 2023, and na wetin make APC lose states like Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and FCT. Dem still talk say many big Christian politicians waka comot from APC because of the matter.
Dem also point out say Tinubu only get 36% of votes for North, even though majority of people there be Muslims, which show say the ticket no strong like that.
Dem warn say if APC repeat Muslim-Muslim ticket again, dem fit lose Middle Belt states wey northern Christians hold about 90% of the votes. Even some Muslim groups like Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah don talk say make APC no try am again. Dem talk say Peter Obi win well for Christian areas last time, and if Obi and Atiku join body, dem fit scatter APC support.
NENF remind APC say Nigeria founding fathers put religious balance inside constitution to stop division. Dem warn make APC no repeat wetin dem call “dark memory” of 1985 Buhari military regime wey be full Muslim government.
Even though dem say Shettima sabi work, the group talk say e no fit solve the wahala wey 2023 ticket cause. Dem beg Tinubu make e choose northern Christian from Plateau, Bauchi or Taraba as running mate for 2027.
Dem talk say: “We dey beg President make e talk publicly say e no go do Muslim-Muslim ticket again and make e bring back trust. If e choose northern Christian as VP, e go help APC get more support, win North-Central and Middle Belt, and fit increase vote reach 45% for 2027. This kind move go follow the inclusive style wey Obasanjo and Buhari use, wey balance merit with unity.”
