The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that most Christians the ruling party has engaged with are comfortable with the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda maintained that the concerns previously expressed by some Christian groups over the religious composition of the presidential ticket had not translated into the marginalisation of Christians under the Tinubu administration.
The APC chairman made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, November 9, 2026, where he discussed the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and Tinubu’s ambition to secure a second term.
According to him, the party has held engagements with several Christian communities and individuals to understand their concerns about the same-faith presidential ticket.
He claimed that most of those consulted had expressed satisfaction with the arrangement, arguing that Christians’ initial fears that the ticket would weaken their influence in government had not materialised.
“Most Christians that we’ve engaged and we’ve spoken to them are very okay with the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” Yilwatda said.
He added that the major concern among Christians before the 2023 presidential election was that having two Muslims occupy the highest executive positions in the country could suppress the voices and interests of other religious groups.
However, he insisted that Christians were adequately represented in the current administration and that their contributions to governance remained visible.
Yilwatda Defends Christian Representation in Tinubu’s Government
The APC chairman, who is a Christian from Plateau State, argued that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated religious inclusion through appointments of Christians into important government positions.
He maintained that political representation should not be judged exclusively by the religious identities of the President and Vice-President but should also consider appointments and opportunities available to other religious communities.
Yilwatda identified himself as an example of Christian representation within the ruling party, noting that he occupies the position of APC national chairman.
He also mentioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other Christian ministers holding strategic positions in the federal government.
According to him, Christians from Northern Nigeria have also been appointed to important ministries and government institutions, which he said demonstrated the administration’s commitment to accommodating different religious communities.
He specifically cited the Ministries of Defence, Humanitarian Affairs and Water Resources as examples of important government positions occupied by Christians.
The APC chairman further argued that Christians in Kaduna State had gained representation at the federal cabinet level, describing the development as part of the administration’s efforts to promote inclusiveness.
He insisted that the fears surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket had been addressed through the administration’s appointments and governance structure.
Muslim-Muslim Ticket Continues to Generate Debate
The Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket became one of the most controversial political issues ahead of the 2023 general elections when Tinubu selected Shettima, a fellow Muslim from Borno State, as his running mate.
The decision attracted criticism from several Christian organisations, religious leaders and political stakeholders, who questioned the implications of having two Muslims occupy the country’s highest executive offices.
Some critics argued that the arrangement did not adequately reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity and could create concerns about fairness, inclusion and national balance.
However, the APC defended its decision at the time, maintaining that the selection was based on political considerations, competence and the ability to deliver electoral success rather than religious affiliation.
Despite the controversy, Tinubu and Shettima went on to win the 2023 presidential election and were inaugurated on May 29, 2023.
As the 2027 election approaches, the religious composition of the APC presidential ticket is again attracting attention, particularly as the party prepares to defend its position in the next general election.
Yilwatda’s latest comments suggest that the ruling party intends to maintain its position on the same-faith ticket while reassuring Christian communities that their interests remain represented in government.
APC Chairman Dismisses Concerns Over Tinubu’s Re-election Bid
During the interview, Yilwatda also defended Tinubu’s intention to seek re-election in 2027, insisting that the President was physically capable of contesting another presidential election.
He dismissed concerns surrounding Tinubu’s health and ability to manage the responsibilities of the presidency, maintaining that the President remained prepared for another term.
The APC chairman also explained why Tinubu might not personally attend every political rally organised by the party ahead of the election.
According to him, the President’s constitutional responsibilities as the country’s leader would make it difficult for him to participate in every political engagement.
He added that some government officials had been advised to attend selected political rallies on behalf of the party to ensure that governance was not disrupted by campaign activities.
Yilwatda Speaks on ADC Leadership Crisis
The APC chairman also addressed allegations linking the ruling party to the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He denied claims that the APC was responsible for the internal disagreement within the opposition party following a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the David Mark-led leadership arrangement.
Yilwatda questioned why the ADC was blaming the ruling party for a dispute that originated from a legal action instituted by one of its members.
He argued that opposition parties should take responsibility for resolving their internal disagreements instead of accusing the APC of interfering in their affairs.
The APC chairman maintained that the ruling party had no involvement in the legal dispute and advised the ADC to concentrate on resolving its internal challenges.
2027 Presidential Election
On the forthcoming presidential election, Yilwatda expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition contenders.
He argued that Atiku’s performance in the 2023 presidential election was largely influenced by the political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than his individual political strength.
According to him, the PDP’s nationwide political structure and the support it enjoyed from several political officeholders contributed significantly to Atiku’s electoral performance.
The APC chairman’s comments come as political parties intensify consultations, alliances and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the debate over religious representation returning to the centre of political discussions, Yilwatda’s position indicates that the APC intends to defend its presidential ticket by highlighting what it describes as the inclusion of Christians in the Tinubu administration.
However, his assertion that most Christians are comfortable with the arrangement represents the APC chairman’s account of the party’s engagements and does not necessarily establish the views of all Christian communities across Nigeria.