A coalition of Christian and human rights organisations has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and diplomatic missions over the planned retention of Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 general election.
The groups, operating under the umbrella of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN), said the arrangement could further heighten religious tensions and deepen the sense of exclusion among Christians, 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 the worsening insecurity facing Christian communities across the country.
According to the petition, the continued pairing of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on a Muslim-Muslim ticket could further widen religious divisions and undermine Nigeria’s tradition of balancing its highest political offices along religious lines.
CYAN argued that the 2023 presidential ticket marked a departure from the country’s long-standing practice of reflecting its religious diversity in national leadership.
The coalition also criticised the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists, insisting that individuals involved in terrorism should be prosecuted rather than enrolled in government-backed reintegration programmes.
As part of its demands, the group urged the United States government to retain Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and to make any future review of the country’s status contingent on independently verified improvements in the protection of Christian communities.
It also called for transparent investigations into major attacks on Christian communities in Plateau, Benue and other affected states, while seeking sustained humanitarian assistance for displaced victims.
In addition, CYAN 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 presidential election.
The coalition stressed that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be adequately reflected in its political leadership and urged both domestic and international stakeholders to promote fairness, inclusion and equal protection for citizens, irrespective of their faith.
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