ABUJA — With the 2027 general election cycle rapidly approaching, President Bola Tinubu is reportedly facing intense diplomatic and domestic pressure to abandon his “Same-Faith” ticket in favor of a Muslim-Christian pairing for his re-election bid.
According to a report by Daily Sun on Thursday, January 15, 2026, high-level geopolitical interests, specifically from the United States, are advocating for religious balancing on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to address concerns over national inclusion and the alleged persecution of Christians.
According to a report by Daily Sun on Thursday, January 15, 2026, high-level geopolitical interests, specifically from the United States, are advocating for religious balancing on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to address concerns over national inclusion and the alleged persecution of Christians.
The VP Shortlist: Kukah, Musa, and Dogara
In light of these pressures, three prominent Northern Christians have emerged as potential replacements for the incumbent Vice President, Kashim Shettima:
- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah: The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto is reportedly at the top of the list. While his intellectual and moral standing is seen as a massive asset, pundits question if the Vatican would grant him the necessary dispensation to enter partisan politics.
- Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa: The current Minister of Defence and former Chief of Defence Staff is being considered for his strong security credentials and Northern Christian background (Kaduna State).
- Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara: The former Speaker of the House of Representatives from Bauchi State is also being touted as a viable political alternative with deep legislative experience.
The Fate of Kashim Shettima
Sources indicate that the Tinubu administration is considering an “exit package” for Vice President Shettima to ensure a smooth transition. Potential incentives include:
- Diplomatic Role: Appointing him as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations post-2027.
- 2031 Support: Offering presidential backing for a 2031 presidential run.
However, a significant hurdle remains: U.S. interests are reportedly pushing for a power shift to the South East in 2031 to foster national healing, which would clash with any promises made to Shettima.
US Influence and the “Country of Particular Concern” Status
The shift in strategy is heavily influenced by a harder stance from Washington. President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” regarding religious freedom.
In a recent post on X, President Trump stated, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria… The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.” This rhetoric was followed by authorized military strikes on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on Christmas Day 2025, signaling a more interventionist U.S. policy that the Tinubu team is reportedly eager to navigate by balancing the 2027 ticket.
Internal APC Resistance
Despite the external pressure, the move to drop Shettima faces pushback. Most APC governors are reportedly advocating for the status quo, while an internal faction had previously suggested replacing Shettima with other prominent Muslims, such as former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari or NSA Nuhu Ribadu.
As the administration reaches its mid-term, the decision on the 2027 ticket remains a delicate balancing act between maintaining the “Muslim-Muslim” coalition that won in 2023 and responding to international demands for religious parity to ensure regional stability.
