2027: Muslim-Muslim Ticket Best For APC, There Are More Muslims In The North – Party Chieftain

As political permutations ahead of the 2027 general election begin to take shape, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Farouq Aliyu, has argued that demographic realities, especially in northern Nigeria, favour the retention of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the ruling party.

Naija News reports that Aliyu made the submission on Friday (today) while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, insisting that electoral decisions are often driven by numbers and political strategy rather than sentiment.

The APC stalwart stressed that the choice of a presidential ticket composition rests solely with the party and its candidate, noting that personal opinions must give way to collective party interest.

“Well, I stand with my party actually, because these decisions are for the parties and the candidates,” Aliyu said.

“So if, in the wisdom of our party and our president, it is to go with another Muslim, so be it. And if he decides to go with the Christians, so be it.”

Aliyu disclosed that the APC leadership has cautioned members, especially those who engage regularly with the media, against speculating on the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima or the party’s ticket ahead of 2027.

He explained that such discussions were premature and could undermine internal party cohesion.

“You remember, our party also has warned, has also spoken to us people that have interface with the media not to speculate, at least on the Vice President Shettima,” he said.

According to Aliyu, whether the APC eventually fields a Muslim-Muslim, Muslim-Christian or Christian-Christian ticket would be determined strictly by political calculations at the appropriate time.

“But whether the Muslim or non-Muslim, it’s important. Time will tell,” he said.

“It’s a political decision which either party can take. If a party decides to go Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian, it is absolutely a political decision which will be made when things are up.”

The APC chieftain argued that electoral strength, particularly in the northern part of the country, would play a key role in shaping the party’s final decision.

“In my opinion, the numbers will be looked at whether to fill in a Muslim or a Christian,” he said.

“The numbers are there to show whether in the northern part of the country there are more Muslims.”

Aliyu added that while a party could choose a Christian candidate from the North, the numerical advantage of Muslim voters remained a significant factor.

“It is absolutely without doubt there are more Muslims in the northern part of the country,” he said.

“So any party can decide to either pick a Christian. But 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.”