Bashir Ahmad, the former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has provided clarification regarding the conditions under which he would consider endorsing a presidential ticket featuring two Christian candidates in an electoral context given the substantial Muslim majority in Nigeria.
In his prior capacity, Ahmad was the Personal Assistant to the President for New Media and Digital Communications, where he was responsible for managing the President's social media presence and enhancing public engagement through various digital platforms.
In 2022, Bashir Ahmad resigned from this position to run for a seat in the House of Representatives; however, he was ultimately unsuccessful in obtaining the party's nomination from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a discussion on the social media platform X, Ahmad addressed inquiries from users concerning his stance on a same-faith ticket.
One user, known as @Jayden_071, prompted Ahmad by stating, “But you have not answered where someone asked if you would accept a Christian/Christian ticket.”
In response, Ahmad expressed his willingness to endorse a Christian/Christian ticket if it were advocated by his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He remarked, “If the political party to which I belong presents two Christians whom I believe are the best candidates for the country, why not?”
This statement arises in light of the public discontent expressed in 2022 regarding the ruling party's proposal for a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket. Despite considerable backlash, particularly from the Christian community, this ticket was ultimately endorsed, leading to the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Nigeria's political landscape is significantly influenced by its religious diversity, characterized by a roughly equal distribution between Muslims, predominantly located in the northern regions, and Christians, who are primarily situated in the south.
Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, an unwritten convention has dictated the composition of presidential tickets: one candidate from the Muslim faith and one from the Christian faith. This "mixed-faith" approach is designed to promote national unity, regional balance, and religious inclusivity, to alleviate tensions in a country that is susceptible to sectarian violence, including incidents targeting Christians in the north.
Recent deviations from this normative practice, such as the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket featuring Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima—both Muslims—have incited widespread protests from Christian organizations, which perceive this arrangement as exclusionary, despite its electoral success.
Moreover, the formation of a Christian-Christian ticket, wherein both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are Christians, has been historically uncommon and contentious. Such tickets pose challenges to the delicate balance required in Nigeria's religious composition, potentially alienating Muslim constituents and fostering perceptions of southern or Christian dominance.
Prominent Christian leaders, including representatives from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have voiced their opposition to such arrangements, contending that they jeopardize the already fragile peace and unity within the nation. This analysis will provide a comprehensive overview of key instances, discussions, and recent developments regarding this intricate issue.