Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, says President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate is driven more by political calculation than public sentiment.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ikechukwu said there had been speculation that Tinubu might select a Christian running mate, with several names reportedly considered before the president opted to retain Shettima.
According to him, issues of zoning and religion remain important in Nigeria because they promote inclusion and a sense of belonging among different groups. He argued that Tinubu may believe retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket is justified since it secured victory previously.
Ikechukwu also said replacing Shettima could alienate his loyal supporters in parts of northern Nigeria, adding that the vice president had done nothing warranting his removal.
He noted that opinions on the decision are divided, with some viewing it as evidence of Nigeria’s political maturity, while others see it as politically risky. He added that critics have accused the Tinubu administration of insensitivity over appointments and alleged anti-Christian bias, issues he said the opposition could exploit during the 2027 election campaign.
He said, “There were concerns that he was going to choose a Christian… Now that he’s back to Shettima, I think it’s more of a result of political calculations than sensitivity to public sentiments.”
