Advisers moot bishop as running mate for Nigerian president

President Bola Tinubu’s advisers have reportedly been reviewing the options for his 2027 running mate as part of a broader political strategy aimed at balancing religion and geography.

Campaigners demanded that Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu find a Christian running mate for the 2027 elections, with some urging him to choose Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.

Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) party faced widespread criticism for having two Muslims on its ticket in the 2023 presidential election, neglecting the customary representation for both Islam and Christianity observed by previous candidates. 

Some critics have blamed the lack of religious balance in the government for giving credence to allegations of Christian persecution, which led the US government to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern under religious freedom legislation.

According to reports, President Tinubu’s advisers have been reviewing the options for his 2027 running mate as part of a broader political strategy aimed at balancing religion and geography, seeking a candidate from a northern state.

Bishop Kukah enjoys a national reputation for his advocacy for Nigerian Christians and is believed to have the backing of pressure groups outside the country. He also belongs to the Ikulu tribe, hailing from the Southern Kaduna in the North West part of Nigeria.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other civil society organisations and community groups have repeatedly voiced concerns about insecurity in northern Christian communities, arguing that balanced political representation may encourage stronger national unity.

“We believe a strong figure like Bishop Kukah we be of great advantage to the Christians in our quest for a balanced representation in the presidency,” a member of the CAN national committee in Abuja told The Tablet over the weekend.

“This will satisfy our sense of belonging and also give us access in making our contributions to the development and growth of our country. We are also of the opinion that it will stem the attacks that we are faced with from the bandits, since we have someone who can react on our behalf.”

Besides Bishop Kukah, other prominent Christians from northern states under consideration by Tinubu’s team include the current defence minister, General Christopher Musa, also from Kaduna State, Mr Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives from Bauchi state, and Mr Caleb Mutfwang, the current governor of Plateau State.

The Church typically prohibits clergy from taking political office. In 2022, Bishop William Avenya of Gboko suspended Fr Hyacinth Iormen Alia after he joined the APC and campaigned for office. He was elected governor of Benue State in 2023.

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