The presidential running mate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has reacted to calls for another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, saying President Bola Tinubu himself practises a Muslim-Christian ticket in his home with First Lady Remi Tinubu.

Kwankwaso made the remarks while responding to controversial Islamic cleric Sani Jingir, who recently urged Nigerian Muslims to support another Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in Kano, Jingir had said:

“I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam, I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again.

“I know this statement pains the unbelievers. I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?”

Reacting during an interview with DCL Hausa, Kwankwaso described President Tinubu as a politician who values balance and fairness.

According to him, Tinubu consistently supported Muslim-Christian or Christian-Muslim tickets during his political career in Lagos.

He said:

“I know His Excellency Bola Tinubu is a man who values balance and fairness. For all the governors he supported in Lagos, he ensured a Muslim/Christian or Christian/Muslim ticket. Even when he was the governor of Lagos, all his deputies were Christians.

“Even in his own home, he practices a Muslim/Christian ticket ‘in the other room’ (Tinubu/Remi).”

His remarks have since sparked reactions online, with Nigerians expressing differing opinions on religious balancing in politics and the debate surrounding the 2027 presidential election.