A coalition of Christian and human rights organisations has appealed to United States President Donald Trump, members of the US Congress and foreign diplomatic missions to closely monitor Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election, raising concerns over the possible retention of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The coalition, operating under the banner of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN), said the continuation of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima's joint ticket could heighten religious tensions and further marginalise Christian communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
In a petition signed by its leadership and released to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, the group urged the international community to pay greater attention to what it described as the worsening security situation confronting Christians in several parts of the country.
According to the petition, **"The continuation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima could further deepen religious divisions and political exclusion.”** The coalition argued that the 2023 presidential ticket marked a departure from Nigeria's long-standing practice of balancing the country's highest political offices along religious lines.
CYAN also criticised the Federal Government's policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists, insisting that individuals involved in terrorism should be prosecuted instead of benefiting from government-backed reintegration programmes.
The group further called on the United States to retain Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), urging that any future review of the country's status should depend on independently verified progress in protecting Christian communities. It also demanded transparent investigations into attacks on Christian populations in Plateau, Benue and other affected states, alongside continued humanitarian assistance for displaced victims.
In addition, the coalition called for an investigation into what it described as possible foreign interference in Nigeria's political process, alleging that some Arab countries may be supporting efforts to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 election. CYAN maintained that Nigeria's religious diversity should be reflected in its political leadership and urged both domestic and international stakeholders to promote fairness, inclusion and equal protection for citizens regardless of their faith.