Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed hope that Nigeria will one day produce a Christian-Christian presidential ticket capable of winning a general election.
The governor made the remark on Tuesday during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television. He spoke while responding to concerns about the possibility of another same-faith presidential ticket in the 2027 elections.
Sule rejected claims that the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim ticket amounted to religious exclusion. Instead, he argued that Nigeria should also witness a successful Christian-Christian presidential pairing.
Sule hopes for a Christian-Christian victory
The governor said he looked forward to the day a Christian-Christian ticket would emerge and secure victory at the polls.
“I pray that one day Nigeria will have a Christian-Christian ticket, and it will win. That’s what I pray to see,” Sule said.
He recalled that the late Chief Moshood Abiola contested the 1993 presidential election on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. According to him, same-faith presidential tickets have recorded electoral victories in the country.
“You can see both elections have been clear that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has won,” he added.
Governor dismisses criticism of APC ticket
Sule said he understood why Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso criticised the APC’s same-faith presidential ticket.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s position reflected his role as an opposition politician. He added that no APC governor had described the party’s ticket in negative terms.
“I think it is normal for Senator Kwankwaso, who I respect a lot, to say that because he’s opposition. He cannot say anything good in that manner,” Sule said.
He added that he did not expect any APC governor to describe the party’s ticket as a burden or liability.
Sule cites constitutional provisions
The governor also referred to Sections 14(3) and 15 of the Nigerian Constitution while defending his position.
He said Section 14(3) promotes inclusiveness and ensures every part of the country enjoys fair representation. He added that Section 15 established the principle of federal character with emphasis on ethnicity.
According to Sule, neither section specifically mentions religion.
He maintained that the constitution focuses on inclusion and national balance rather than religious considerations.
Competence should come first
Sule confirmed that his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, is a Christian and has served throughout his administration in Nasarawa State.
However, he insisted that competence, not religion, informed the choice.
“Our state is different from Nigeria. You cannot take a particular state. Take Enugu, for instance, it has a Christian-Christian arrangement. Take Bayelsa, it’s Christian-Christian,” he said.
The governor added that political arrangements differ across states because each state has its own realities and circumstances.
Read also: Kwankwaso confirms Obi’s one-term pact, questions APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
