Fresh political signals from Abuja suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be quietly reassessing his 2027 re-election strategy, with indications that a northern Christian could emerge as his next running mate. Among the names reportedly under consideration is the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, a cleric whose national influence extends well beyond the pulpit.
Multiple reports across print, broadcast and digital platforms indicate that Tinubu’s inner circle is reviewing a shortlist of four prominent northern Christian figures within and around the All Progressives Congress. Those frequently mentioned include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Bishop Kukah.
Political observers say the emerging conversation reflects a calculated move to address long-standing concerns about regional and religious balance at the highest level of government. All four figures are from predominantly Christian states in Northern Nigeria and are seen as capable of reshaping the political narrative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Read also:
- Imo APP decries vandalism of party’s billboards, installations
- The Osun State Governorship Election
- My successor in 2031 will be better than me, Gov. Otti declares
Sources familiar with the discussions suggest that the President’s advisers are exploring options that would project broader inclusion and soften criticism that followed the Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the APC in the 2023 elections. That arrangement, while electorally successful, attracted sustained backlash at home and abroad, including comments from United States officials urging greater diversity in Nigeria’s federal leadership.
Analysts note that under the 1999 Constitution, the President retains full discretion to select a vice-presidential candidate from any part of the country, provided constitutional requirements are met. This flexibility, they argue, gives Tinubu room to recalibrate politically as early permutations for 2027 take shape.
While no official confirmation has been issued by the Presidency or the APC, the reported inclusion of Bishop Kukah, a vocal advocate on national unity, governance and social justice, has already stirred intense debate across political and religious circles, underscoring the growing intrigue surrounding Tinubu’s second-term calculations.
