The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in its political leadership and urged both local and international stakeholders to ensure fairness, inclusion and protection for all citizens regardless of faith.
A coalition of Christian and human rights groups has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and diplomatic missions over the planned retention of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in Nigeria’s 2027 election.
The groups, operating under the umbrella of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN), warned that the arrangement poses a serious threat to Christians across the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
In a petition signed by its leaders and made available to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, the coalition urged the international community to pay closer attention to what it described as worsening insecurity affecting Christian communities.
According to the group, “the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima could further deepen religious divisions and political exclusion”.
CYAN argued that the 2023 presidential ticket departed from Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of balancing the country’s top political offices along religious lines.
The coalition also criticized the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists, insisting that individuals involved in acts of terrorism should face prosecution rather than government-supported reintegration programmes.
The petition further urged the US government to maintain Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and to tie any future review of that status to independently verified improvements in the protection of Christian communities.
The group called for transparent investigations into major attacks on Christian communities, including incidents in Plateau, Benue and other states, while demanding sustained humanitarian support for displaced victims.
CYAN also requested an investigation into alleged foreign influence in Nigeria’s political process, claiming that some Arab countries may be supporting efforts to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in its political leadership and urged both local and international stakeholders to ensure fairness, inclusion and protection for all citizens regardless of faith.
