Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Dalung made the allegation in a video interview shared by Symfoni TV, monitored by The News Chronicle on Monday, stating that information from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) suggests there are internal discussions about changing the party’s current presidential ticket.
According to him, a group within the APC is closely monitoring high-level meetings and relaying details of deliberations at the top of the party.
He linked the alleged move to pressure from outside Nigeria, particularly the United States, over the continued use of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Dalung claimed party leaders believe retaining the same religious arrangement in 2027 may not be well received by international partners and could negatively affect Nigeria’s global image.
He further alleged that three to four Christian figures have already been identified as possible replacements for Shettima.
The names mentioned include former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Dalung said the ruling party is reviewing whether the current religious balance remains viable for the next election, adding that the search is aimed at presenting a ticket that would be more acceptable to foreign allies.
He also suggested that President Tinubu may be facing internal challenges ahead of 2027, citing rising hardship, hunger, and insecurity across the country.
According to him, claims that no one can defeat the president are attempts to mask internal problems within the party.
Dalung maintained that although the Muslim-Muslim ticket succeeded in the 2023 election, it continues to generate tension in Nigeria’s relations with Western nations.
