Governor Sule’s Christian-Christian Ticket Remark Ignites Nationwide Reactions

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has said Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution does not require political parties or governments to balance electoral tickets or public appointments along religious lines.

Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor argued that the Constitution focuses on federal character, equitable representation and national inclusion rather than religious considerations.

Sule made the remarks while responding to comments by the 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on political representation and inclusiveness.

Dismissing Kwankwaso’s criticism, the governor said such comments were expected from members of the opposition.

“I have great respect for Senator Kwankwaso, but he is in the opposition. Naturally, he is not expected to speak positively about the government,” Sule said.

The governor maintained that constitutional provisions on inclusion are often misinterpreted, explaining that Section 14(3) addresses the principle of federal character, while Section 15 focuses on national integration and ethnic diversity.

According to him, neither section specifically mandates religious balancing in political appointments or electoral tickets.

“There is nowhere in Section 14 or Section 15 that religion is mentioned as a requirement,” he stated.

Sule pointed to the victories of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima on a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election, as well as the late Chief Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, who contested the 1993 presidential election on a same-faith ticket.

“Those elections demonstrated that Muslim-Muslim tickets can secure victory. I also pray that one day Nigeria will have a Christian-Christian ticket, and it will win,” the governor said.

He argued that the success of same-faith presidential tickets shows that many Nigerians are willing to vote based on considerations beyond religion.

Addressing his own administration, Sule said his decision to retain Emmanuel Akabe, a Christian, as deputy governor was based on merit and the unique political realities of Nasarawa State, not because of any constitutional obligation.

“Emmanuel Akabe has remained my deputy because he is competent. That decision reflects what is suitable for Nasarawa State, which has its own political dynamics,” he said.

The governor added that the political realities of individual states should not be used as a template for national politics, noting that some states with predominantly Christian populations have both governors and deputy governors who share the same faith.

He cited Enugu and Bayelsa as examples of states with Christian-Christian leadership.

Sule concluded that political parties should be free to choose candidates based on competence, electoral strategy and the specific needs of their constituencies, rather than making religion the overriding consideration.