Professor Nentawe YilwatdaProf. Yilwatda’s appointment as APC National Chairman reignites debate on religious balance as party mulls repeat of 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket
The appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, a Northern Christian from Plateau State, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reignited heated discussions over the possible return of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2027 elections.
Yilwatda’s emergence, following the resignation of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje due to ill health, has been widely perceived by political analysts as a calculated move by the ruling party to soften public resistance to a potential repeat of the controversial religious ticket that defined the 2023 polls.
Recall that the APC had faced fierce backlash for fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the last general election, with President Bola Tinubu, a Southern Muslim, choosing former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, a Northern Muslim, as his running mate. The ticket won but stirred suspicions of an alleged Islamisation agenda, especially among Christian communities.
Now, with a Christian installed as party chairman, many see the move as strategic positioning to balance optics while possibly retaining the same-faith presidential formula in 2027.
Supporters of the Muslim-Muslim ticket argue that the current administration’s performance should matter more than religious affiliation. Prominent voices like Bishop Francis Wale Oke of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Bishop Stephen Adegbite of the Lagos Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) contend that Tinubu has demonstrated fairness to all religions and should not be judged solely on religious grounds.
“The President has shown that governance is not about faith,” said Bishop Adegbite. “He has done even more for the church than many expected.”
The presidency has also downplayed the debate. Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed concerns, noting that Tinubu had demonstrated inclusivity through high-profile Christian appointments under his administration. These include the Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Works, Minister of Finance, and heads of critical national security and economic agencies.
A party loyalist, Ashiru Pandum, amplified this view on social media, listing several key Christian figures in Tinubu’s cabinet as proof of religious balance. However, critics, including members of the opposition Movement, argue that the presence of Christians in government has not improved citizens’ welfare or addressed national challenges such as hunger and insecurity.
“The issue is not about faith but about performance. Nigerians are suffering,” said Prince Ikenga NwaChineke. “Whether Christian or Muslim, Tinubu’s administration has failed, and we must unite to vote them out in 2027.”
Still, Christian leaders remain divided. While some, like Rev. Joseph Hayab of Northern CAN, support a shift to a Christian-Muslim ticket to reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity, others caution against prematurely heating the issue with 2027 speculation. “There are more pressing national issues—killings, hunger, poverty,” Hayab stressed. “We must not let religion distract us from the real problems.”
The Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church, Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, offered a balanced perspective, noting that while religious representation is important in a diverse nation like Nigeria, governance should not be reduced to a matter of faith alone. “If the joint faith ticket is working, then let it work. But for national unity, a change in approach might also be welcome.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has urged restraint, calling on Nigerians to patiently observe political developments before jumping to conclusions. “We need to listen more and react less,” said Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, spokesman for the Catholic Secretariat.
Even within the APC, the debate is far from settled. A recent North-East stakeholders’ meeting turned tense when Shettima’s name was conspicuously omitted during an endorsement speech for Tinubu’s second term, sparking speculation that his vice presidency might be under reconsideration.
Yilwatda’s appointment may, however, provide a cushion for the ruling party—either to retain Shettima or to pacify religious concerns if another Muslim-Muslim ticket is pursued. As Nigeria inches closer to 2027, religion is once again shaping the political undercurrents of a deeply pluralistic society.
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