The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President Bola Tinubu that retaining a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 presidential election could heighten religious tension in Nigeria.
Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, urged the President and his team to handle the issue with caution, saying some Nigerians were already aggrieved.
He warned that the issue could extend beyond the presidency to states adopting the same-faith arrangement, potentially creating wider religious tensions.
“Let us be cautious against a religious crisis because of this Muslim-Muslim ticket,” Ayodele said, adding that Tinubu needed to “show wisdom” in handling the matter.
The cleric also said Tinubu would face political challenges in some states, including Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory.
He urged the President to work harder in those areas and address issues that could affect his support ahead of the 2027 election.
Tinubu, a Muslim, is currently seeking a second term with Vice President Kashim Shettima, also a Muslim. Shettima formally submitted Tinubu’s nomination and expression-of-interest forms to the APC in May.
Ayodele had also raised concerns about a repeat of the Muslim-Muslim ticket in May 2026, warning that it could face opposition nationally and internationally.
