Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential running mate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu practises a Muslim-Christian political arrangement in his home with his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Kwankwaso made the remark while reacting to comments by Islamic cleric Sani Jingir, who has called on Nigerian Muslims to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 election.
Speaking in Kano, Jingir reaffirmed his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying he would continue to advocate for the arrangement as he did during the 2023 presidential election.
“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,” Jingir said.
“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.
He recalled that while Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, he supported political arrangements that paired Muslim and Christian candidates.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
He then made a reference to Tinubu’s marriage to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who is Christian.
“Even in his own home, he practises a Muslim/Christian ticket ‘in the other room’ (Tinubu/Remi),” Kwankwaso said.
The comment comes amid renewed debate over the religious composition of presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly following calls from some Muslim leaders for the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.