Atiku Abubakar, a prominent Nigerian politician and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed strong opposition to the concept of a "Muslim-Muslim ticket" in Nigerian politics, stating that it is "absolutely wrong" for a diverse and multi-religious country like Nigeria.
Speaking at a world conference, Atiku Abubakar criticized the idea of having both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same religious background, particularly from the Muslim faith. He emphasized the need for Nigeria's government to reflect its diverse and multi-religious composition.
Abubakar also shared his personal experience, explaining that his political relationship with President Bola Tinubu soured in 2007 when he refused to choose Mr. Tinubu, also a Muslim, as his running mate. Atiku revealed that some party members approached him with the proposal to have a "Muslim-Muslim ticket," but he rejected it, considering the multi-religious nature of Nigeria.
Despite his objections and criticisms from various quarters, Bola Tinubu later ran as a presidential candidate alongside Kashim Shettima, both of whom are Muslims, in the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu emerged as the winner of the election, although it has faced legal challenges and opposition parties continue to contest the outcome.
Atiku Abubakar's comments highlight the ongoing debate over religious and ethnic diversity in Nigerian politics and the importance of reflecting this diversity in the country's leadership positions
