Kwankwaso opposes Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has defended himself against allegations of extremism, renewed his opposition to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, and expressed confidence that the NDC ticket of Peter Obi and himself will win the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kwankwaso said Nigerians, particularly young people, are seeking leaders who can improve their living conditions rather than politicians focused on ethnic or religious sentiments.

“People are tired of the situation they are in now. They want something new, something that can help their lives, something that can improve the security and welfare of the people of this country,” he said.

He argued that critics of the NDC alliance are disconnected from the realities facing northern Nigeria.

“Those who are going against that ticket are not even conversant; they are not in touch with realities in northern Nigeria Today,” he said.

When asked about a proposed US bill that reportedly named him alongside others over allegations of religious persecution and communal violence, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims and said, “Let me start from the issue of assets. I have no asset anywhere outside Nigeria, so there is nothing to freeze.”

He described the allegations as politically motivated, saying, “Everybody has enemies. People decided to send my name here and there. But realities have now come out, and that issue is gone. It is no longer an issue.”

When asked whether he believed his name had been cleared, he responded: “I believe so.”

On the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Kwankwaso said he expects religion to remain an important issue in the 2027 elections, criticising President Bola Tinubu for again presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“I’m even surprised that the President again is presenting the same type of ticket,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu has traditionally balanced political appointments and should do the same with his presidential ticket.

“I believe he still has time from now to the time of substitution to have a balanced ticket,” he said.

Although he acknowledged that there is nothing inherently wrong with a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket, he argued that Nigeria’s diversity makes religious balance preferable.

Reflecting on his own choice of running mate in the 2023 election, he said, “When I was looking for somebody to run with me, I got an archbishop so that we can go together and everybody will have a sense of belonging.”

Kwankwaso cited the 1993 SDP presidential ticket of MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe as an example where religion did not dominate political discourse, noting that “at that time, people were talking of competence, popularity and many other positive things.”

Addressing concerns that ongoing legal challenges involving the NDC could affect its participation in the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso said he was not worried.
He expressed confidence that the courts would not prevent the party from contesting.

“I don’t think any respected judge will be in a hurry to say NDC should not participate in the 2027 election,” he said.