Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad urged Nigerians to view the Tinubu/Shettima ticket as a display of national diversity, representing the coming together of the Yoruba and Kanuri ethnic groups.
In a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday, Ahmad advised Nigerians to ignore religious sentiment and stop viewing the ticket as a Muslim/Muslim one. He argued that for Nigeria to progress, people must abandon bitter politics because the country deserves better.
Ahmad questioned where the current tensions and continuous reckless narrative—if solely due to the religious combination of the President and Vice President—will lead the nation. He suggested that people channel their dissatisfaction through the ballot boxes in 2027.
He recalled that during the 2023 elections, President Tinubu, his Deputy, and the APC did not campaign using religion, nor did they use faith for political gain.
Ahmad stated that he genuinely believed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket would first be recognized as a Yoruba/Kanuri ticket, uniting two ethnic groups to reflect national diversity, aligning with the sentiment that ethnicity should be prioritized over religion. However, he noted that because this ethnic narrative does not suit the current agenda, the discussion is being reduced to “Muslim/Muslim,” as their ethnic identities are being ignored.
He concluded that if Nigerians truly care about the country, their politics must be guided by truth, not by reckless narratives designed to inflame sentiments, adding that Nigeria deserves better.
About The Author
