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The New Nigeria Collective (NNC), a civil society group, has warned APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu against choosing a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 elections, saying it could damage his chances of becoming president.
In a statement by its general secretary, Bosun Osifowora, the group said Tinubu’s hesitation in naming a running mate and using a “placeholder” shows internal conflict over this decision. They cautioned that the Christian community might view a Muslim-Muslim ticket as disrespectful and respond accordingly at the polls.
NNC also dismissed claims that only a Muslim-Muslim ticket could guarantee electoral victory, calling it a false narrative driven by selfish political interests. They emphasized that Tinubu is already a strong, popular candidate capable of winning with a balanced Muslim-Christian ticket.
The group urged Tinubu to consider Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity, warning that ignoring these factors could create deeper divisions. They advised him to prioritize unity and national interest over narrow political calculations.
“Every religion matters in today’s Nigeria, and domination by one over the other is unacceptable. Even if a Christian running mate won’t end all problems, their presence on the ticket would provide psychological balance and reassurance,” the statement added.
