2027: APC Chairman Claims Christians Are Satisfied With Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has claimed that most Christians consulted by the ruling party are comfortable with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda said concerns that the same-faith arrangement would marginalise Christians had not materialised, insisting that their interests and voices remained represented under the Tinubu administration.

The APC chairman made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

“Most Christians that we’ve engaged and we’ve spoken to them, they are very okay with the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.

He explained that Christians had initially feared the arrangement could weaken their representation in government but maintained that the situation had proved otherwise.

“The thought and the fear of most Christians was that the Muslim-Muslim ticket may suppress their voices, but their voices are heard loud and clear now,” Yilwatda added.

The APC chairman also dismissed concerns that Tinubu’s religion had resulted in discrimination or persecution of Christians during his three years in office.

On the President’s health and eligibility to contest the 2027 election, Yilwatda maintained that Tinubu was physically fit to seek another term.

He also defended the President’s absence from some political campaign activities, arguing that his constitutional responsibilities would not permit him to attend every party rally.

According to Yilwatda, some government officials had been directed to represent the administration at selected campaign events to prevent political activities from disrupting governance.

Addressing the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the APC chairman denied allegations that the ruling party was responsible for the opposition party’s internal dispute.

The controversy followed a Federal High Court judgment invalidating the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. Yilwatda questioned why the opposition party was blaming the APC over a crisis arising from a legal action instituted by one of its members.

The APC chairman also expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a free and fair 2027 presidential election.

He argued that Atiku’s performance in the 2023 election was largely driven by the political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than his individual popularity.

“He did not win because of Atiku; he won because of the structure of the PDP. It was the PDP that brought Atiku, not Atiku winning on his own,” Yilwatda said.

Yilwatda further defended the proposed ₦10 million reward announced by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for councils that deliver their wards for Tinubu in 2027, insisting that the incentive did not amount to vote buying.