A northern Muslim advocacy group, Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider choosing a northern Christian as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. The group made this appeal after conducting wide consultations across northern states with various Islamic organizations, aimed at forging a unified political direction.

The group’s convener, Bala Duguri, stated that the decision stems from their support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has yielded positive results. Duguri emphasized that political equity and fairness demand a religious balance in the 2027 ticket, noting that the Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2023 elections was partly successful due to the support of the Christian community.

The group acknowledged the sacrifices made by Christian brothers and sisters in the 2023 presidential elections and called for a reciprocal gesture. They appealed to potential Muslim vice-presidential aspirants within the APC to step aside and support the nomination of a Christian running mate in 2027.

The group urged President Tinubu and other stakeholders to consider their appeal in the spirit of unity, equity, and justice, stressing that the recommendation is rooted in a genuine concern for national cohesion and democratic stability. They pledged to continue engaging with major religious and traditional institutions to lobby for support.

However, this call contrasts with that of Borno State APC stakeholders, who have called on President Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from Borno State, as his running mate.