Fresh political discussions suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is quietly assessing four prominent northern Christian leaders as possible running mates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sources across print, broadcast and online media have consistently mentioned former Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Defence Minister Lt-Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, as names in serious circulation within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to multiple reports, the President’s inner circle has been reviewing these options as part of a broader political strategy aimed at balancing religion and geography, with all four potential picks coming from the predominantly Christian northern states.
Analysts note that Tinubu, as the APC standard-bearer, retains constitutional freedom to select his running mate from any part of the country, as provided under the 1999 Constitution.
The renewed debate follows lingering criticism of the Muslim–Muslim ticket adopted in the 2023 elections, which drew scrutiny both within and outside Nigeria—including comments from U.S. officials encouraging more inclusive representation in federal governance.
