Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has dismissed the notion of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Nigerian politics, declaring that Nigerians are not interested in religiously motivated leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Adebayo criticized the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling their ticket a “zero-zero” ticket from the perspective of Islamic values. He argued that true leadership in Islam is measured by justice, not religion, and that the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is a political ploy designed to manipulate public sentiment.
Adebayo recalled being asked about the Muslim-Muslim ticket during a visit to Kano four years ago, where he engaged with Islamic scholars, or Ulamas. He told them then that if they were hoping for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Tinubu and Shettima, they would be lucky to find even one Muslim among the two. He explained that Islamic jurisprudence emphasizes justice and merit over religious affiliation when selecting leaders. According to him, a good Muslim would never appoint someone unfit for office, regardless of their religion, and would instead choose the most qualified and committed individual from their own community.
The SDP candidate further stated that the Muslim-Muslim ticket concept was created to defraud Nigerians by exploiting religious sentiments. He emphasized that power should not be given based on favoritism, bias, or the expectation of personal reward. “What the North and all Nigerians are looking for is a righteous leader no matter the person,” Adebayo said, stressing that justice, not religion, should be the foundation of political leadership.
He highlighted the irony of the situation by pointing to Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent advocate of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, whose family is now crying out for justice. Adebayo noted that El-Rufai, who once celebrated the idea, is now personally experiencing the lack of justice under the current administration. This, he said, proves that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has failed to deliver on its promises and has no real support among Nigerians.
Adebayo concluded that the government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are merely trying to justify their position with empty rhetoric, as there is no genuine backing for the Muslim-Muslim ticket anywhere in the country. He reiterated that Nigerians are suffering under the current leadership and are calling for a change based on righteousness and competence, not religious labels. As the 2027 elections approach, the demand for a leader who embodies justice and integrity continues to grow louder across the nation.
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