NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso says the United States is now more focused on the prospect of another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in Nigeria than on previous allegations raised against him, urging the APC to reconsider its ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has claimed that the United States government is now more concerned about the possibility of another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in Nigeria’s 2027 general election than allegations previously made against him.
Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the political implications of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) potentially retaining the same-faith ticket used in the 2023 presidential election.
Kwankwaso says same-faith ticket remains a major issue
According to the former Kano State governor, the debate over religious balance in Nigeria’s highest political offices remains unresolved and is likely to feature prominently in the next general election.
He argued that while the APC successfully campaigned with a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023, public concerns about inclusiveness and national cohesion have not disappeared.
Kwankwaso suggested that international observers, including the United States, are paying closer attention to issues surrounding religious representation in Nigeria’s democratic process than to earlier allegations that had been directed at him.
‘Tinubu still has time to balance the ticket’
During the interview, Kwankwaso said President Bola Tinubu still has sufficient time before the legal deadline for candidate substitution to nominate a running mate from a different religious background if he seeks re-election.
“If you look at Lagos, he has always balanced it… I don’t know why the ticket in Nigeria is not balanced,” Kwankwaso said, arguing that a more inclusive ticket could help reduce political tensions.
Remarks follow previous US-related controversy
Kwankwaso’s comments come months after discussions surrounding a proposed bill in the United States Congress that mentioned him among individuals who could face sanctions over alleged religious freedom violations.
The proposed legislation generated political debate in Nigeria, with Kwankwaso’s supporters rejecting the allegations while others called for clarification. The bill was proposed legislation and did not itself constitute a finding of wrongdoing against Kwankwaso.
In his latest interview, however, the NDC vice-presidential candidate indicated that the conversation has shifted toward concerns about whether another same-faith presidential ticket would promote national unity.
Muslim-Muslim ticket remains politically divisive
The Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC in the 2023 election generated significant public debate before the polls.
Supporters argued that competence should outweigh religious considerations, while critics maintained that Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity should be reflected in the country’s top political offices.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments add to the growing political conversation as parties prepare for the 2027 elections. His remarks represent his political opinion and assessment of international concerns; they have not been independently confirmed by the U.S. government.
Kwankwaso recently confirmed that he and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi signed a written agreement under which Obi would serve only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
The opposition coalition has increasingly focused its messaging on national unity, governance reforms and security as it positions itself ahead of the next presidential election.