The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, expressed his hope for a future when Nigeria will present an all-Christian presidential ticket.
He conveyed assurance that this combination would triumph in the elections.
On Tuesday, Sule addressed concerns regarding the potential for another same-faith presidential ticket in 2027 during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, responding to comments made by Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The governor rejected claims that the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket represented religious exclusion.
He stated that the nation was indeed due for a Christian-Christian match to assess the same electoral luck that had benefited Muslim-Muslim tickets previously.
“I hope that someday Nigeria will have a Christian-Christian ticket, and it will be victorious.” “That’s what I hope to witness,” Sule expressed.
He remembered that the nation had earlier experienced a Muslim-Muslim presidential pairing with the late Chief Moshood Abiola during the 1993 election. He observed that these pairings had succeeded in winning at the polls.
“You can observe that both elections have made it evident that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has triumphed,” he stated.
Sule stated that it was anticipated for Kwankwaso, being an opposition figure, to voice objections regarding the APC’s ticket distribution.
He claimed that no governor from the party had previously made such accusations against it.
“I believe it’s usual for Senator Kwankwaso, whom I greatly respect, to express that as he is in the opposition.” He is unable to express anything positive in that way. Therefore, when he stated that, it was anticipated for him to say so.
“I doubt he will inform me today that another APC governor will say he’s terrible.” “Another governor will claim he’s an albatross,” he stated.
The governor referred to Section 14(3) of the constitution, which he claimed ensures inclusivity and representation throughout all regions of the nation. He stated that Section 15 set forth the federal character principle concerning ethnicity.
“It all truly occurs in Section 14(3) of the constitution, which addresses the need for inclusiveness, representation, and the necessity that every region of the country is included, with no part overlooked and all being taken into account.”
“That’s when federal character emerged, according to Section 15 of the same constitution that addresses ethnicity.” There isn’t any section that addresses religion.
Section 14 did not address religion. “Section 15 did not address religion,” he stated.
In response to a question about having a Christian as his deputy, Sule confirmed this, mentioning that Emmanuel Akabe had occupied the role for the entire duration of his time in Nasarawa State.
“I have consistently had a Christian serving as my deputy.” In Nasarawa State, it has consistently been a Christian, he stated.
When asked about the significance of having a Christian deputy, Sule explained that the decision was rooted in competence rather than religious balancing, noting that political arrangements differed from state to state based on local circumstances.
“No, no, no, we believed it was significant since Emmanuel Akabe is capable.” Our state differs from Nigeria. You cannot assume a specific state.
“Consider Enugu, for example; it features a Christian-Christian configuration.” Consider Bayelsa, it’s Christian-Christian,” he remarked.
