Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abuja, Nigeria — Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has said a Christian-Christian presidential ticket could one day win Nigeria's presidential election, arguing that the country's Constitution does not require political parties to balance presidential tickets or political appointments along religious lines.
Sule made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, where he discussed the role of religion in Nigerian politics and the ongoing debate over same-faith presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to the governor, the 1999 Constitution places greater emphasis on the principles of federal character, inclusiveness and equitable representation than on religious balancing. He maintained that competence and the ability to deliver good governance should remain the primary considerations in selecting leaders.
Sule argued that while religion often features prominently in political debates, there is no constitutional provision compelling political parties to field candidates of different faiths. He said the constitutional requirement is for governments to reflect Nigeria's diversity through the federal character principle, which seeks to ensure fair representation of different states, ethnic groups and regions in public appointments.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians are capable of voting for candidates based on performance rather than religion, adding that a Christian-Christian ticket could also emerge victorious if the candidates demonstrate competence and earn the confidence of the electorate.
The governor defended the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on a same-faith Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election, arguing that fears of religious marginalisation had not materialised during the administration's time in office.
Sule said critics had predicted that Christians would be excluded from government under the Tinubu administration but maintained that appointments and governance under the current government have not been driven by religious considerations. He also pointed to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola's 1993 presidential ticket with Baba Gana Kingibe, another Muslim, as an example of a same-faith ticket that enjoyed broad national support.
The governor further argued that the outcome of future presidential elections would depend more on the quality, credibility and performance of candidates than on their religious affiliations. He maintained that political parties should focus on presenting competent leaders capable of addressing Nigeria's economic and security challenges.
His comments come as discussions over religion and regional balancing continue to shape political conversations ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The APC's decision to retain the Tinubu-Shettima ticket has reignited debate over whether same-faith presidential tickets promote national unity or undermine Nigeria's religious diversity.
While supporters of same-faith tickets argue that competence should take precedence over religion, critics insist that Nigeria's religious diversity requires balanced representation at the highest levels of government to foster national unity and inclusion.
Sule maintained that Nigeria's democracy should continue evolving towards a system where voters judge candidates primarily by their character, competence and record of service rather than by their religious backgrounds, expressing optimism that Nigerians would increasingly prioritise effective leadership over identity politics in future elections.
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