The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, says most Christians consulted by the party are comfortable with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima retaining their Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2027 elections.
Yilwatda said Christians who initially feared the arrangement could marginalise their interests had seen their concerns addressed under the Tinubu administration.
He made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, November 9, 2026.
“Most Christians that we’ve engaged and we’ve spoken to them, they are very okay with the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.
“The thought and the fear of most Christians was that the Muslim-Muslim ticket may suppress their voices, but their voices are heard loud and clear now.”
APC Chairman Dismisses Religious Discrimination Concerns
Yilwatda also rejected claims that Tinubu’s religious identity had exposed Christians to discrimination or persecution since he assumed office.
He maintained that Christians remained represented in the administration despite the religious composition of the presidency.
The Muslim-Muslim ticket generated controversy during the 2023 presidential election. Several Christian groups and political figures criticised the decision to field two Muslim candidates.
However, Yilwatda argued that the concerns raised at the time had not materialised.
Yilwatda Defends Tinubu’s 2027 Ambition
The APC chairman also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s physical fitness and ability to seek re-election in 2027.
He defended the President’s decision not to attend every campaign rally, saying his constitutional responsibilities as head of state required attention.
According to Yilwatda, some government officials had been directed to attend selected rallies. The arrangement, he said, would prevent campaign activities from disrupting governance.
He also dismissed allegations that the APC was responsible for the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The dispute followed a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the David Mark-led leadership of the opposition party.
Yilwatda questioned why the ADC blamed the ruling party for a dispute arising from a legal action instituted by one of its members.
APC Chairman Dismisses Atiku’s 2023 Electoral Strength
Yilwatda further expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in a free and fair 2027 election.
He argued that Atiku’s performance in the 2023 presidential election depended largely on the political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He did not win because of Atiku; he won because of the structure of the PDP. It was the PDP that brought Atiku, not Atiku winning on his own,” he said.
The APC chairman also defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s proposed ₦10 million reward for local government councils that deliver their wards for Tinubu in 2027.
Yilwatda argued that the proposed incentive did not amount to vote buying.
His comments come as political parties intensify preparations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
