Christian-Christian ticket will win Nigeria’s presidency one day — Gov Sule Abdullahi
Nasarawa Governor Advocates for Potential Christian-Christian Presidential Ticket
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed optimism that Nigeria may one day elect a president and vice president on a Christian-Christian ticket. He emphasized that the nation’s Constitution does not mandate religious balancing in political appointments or election tickets.
Sule made his remarks during a Tuesday interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today in response to criticism from Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), regarding issues related to political representation.
The governor characterized Kwankwaso’s criticisms as typical of opposition politics. “It is normal for Senator Kwankwaso, whom I respect a lot, to say that because he’s in opposition. He cannot say anything good. It is expected of him to say that,” Sule stated.
He maintained that the 1999 Constitution prioritizes inclusiveness and federal character rather than religious representation. According to Sule, Sections 14(3) and 15 of the Constitution address equitable representation and ethnicity but do not mention religion.
“There is no place where it speaks about religion. Section 14 did not mention religion. Section 15 did not mention religion,” he asserted.
Sule pointed to the 2023 electoral victories of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as the 1993 Muslim-Muslim ticket of MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, as evidence of successful electoral outcomes without religious balancing.
“You can see both elections have clearly shown that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has prevailed. I pray that one day Nigeria will have a Christian-Christian ticket, and it will win; that’s what I hope to see,” Sule said.
He noted that his choice to retain Emmanuel Akabe, a Christian, as deputy governor was based on competence rather than religious affiliation. “I have always had a Christian as a deputy, Emmanuel Akabe. It was important because Emmanuel Akabe is competent, and our state is different from Nigeria,” he explained.
Furthermore, Sule highlighted that political dynamics vary across states, referencing Enugu and Bayelsa as examples where Christian-Christian leadership operates without controversy.
