Shettima's renomination concerns amid religious tensions and US lobby pressure

Vice President Kashim Shettima's potential renomination as President Tinubu's running mate in 2027 faces opposition from within and outside Nigeria, according to Premium Times analysis. President Tinubu historically changed deputies frequently—using three as Lagos governor over eight years, a pattern only matched by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the last 27 years.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy that plagued the 2023 election continues to shadow Shettima, with opponents framing the pairing as an Islamisation agenda despite no constitutional basis. Opposition forces even leveraged US lobby connections, reportedly including threats from former President Donald Trump about protecting Nigerian Christians allegedly facing genocidal threats.

Political maneuvering intensified with names like former Speaker Yakubu Dogara and ex-Governor Simon Lalong floated as Christian replacements. Former Kano Governor Kwankwaso allegedly sought the position while pursuing revenge against political enemies, though his influence was neutralized by defections to APC. The government's farmer-herder policies in north-central states remain scrutinized through religious lenses amid ongoing clashes claiming an estimated 35,000 lives over two decades.

Shettima survived multiple narratives—including claims about Boko Haram complicity during his Borno governorship and alleged mystical assassination plots involving Zanna caps. His renomination raises questions about whether religion is truly losing political salience in Nigeria ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/895847-shettimas-final-test-by-azu-ishiekwene.html