A coalition of Christian and human rights groups has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and diplomatic missions over the planned retention of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in Nigeria’s 2027 election.

 The groups, operating under the umbrella of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN), warned that the arrangement poses a serious threat to Christians across the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria. 

In a petition signed by its leaders and made available to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, the coalition urged the international community to pay closer attention to what it described as worsening insecurity affecting Christian communities. 

According to the group, “the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima could further deepen religious divisions and political exclusion”. 

CYAN argued that the 2023 presidential ticket departed from Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of balancing the country’s top political offices along religious lines. 

The coalition also criticized the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists, insisting that individuals involved in acts of terrorism should face prosecution rather than government-supported reintegration programmes. 

The petition further urged the US government to maintain Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and to tie any future review of that status to independently verified improvements in the protection of Christian communities. 

The group called for transparent investigations into major attacks on Christian communities, including incidents in Plateau, Benue and other states, while demanding sustained humanitarian support for displaced victims. 

CYAN also requested an investigation into alleged foreign influence in Nigeria’s political process, claiming that some Arab countries may be supporting efforts to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 election. 

The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in its political leadership and urged both local and international stakeholders to ensure fairness, inclusion and protection for all citizens regardless of faith. 

​Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has called on residents of the state to ignore alleged threats and intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election and come out in large numbers to vote.

Speaking during a church service in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke accused opposition figures in the state of resorting to violence after losing public support.

 He expressed confidence in securing a second term, citing his administration’s achievements in workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.

The governor assured residents that adequate measures were being taken to guarantee their safety during the election and urged them to vote according to their conscience.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council raised concerns over what it described as a tense political atmosphere in the state ahead of the poll. 

The council alleged that dozens of Accord Party leaders and other political figures had been targeted for arrest in the run-up to the election and called on security agencies to ensure fairness and professionalism.

The council also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to safeguard the democratic process and prevent any form of political intimidation.

Accord Party presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged party members in Osun to remain loyal and work for the party’s success despite recent internal disagreements. 

He criticised what he described as acts of disloyalty but insisted that party supporters should stay focused on the election.

Also, the Osun State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) faulted the decision of some governorship candidates to boycott a televised debate, arguing that public debates are essential for accountability and democratic engagement.

On his part, APC chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, urged the police to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free election, stressing that voters must be adequately protected before, during and after the poll.

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, says he contested the 2023 general elections against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Adedayo made this claim during a live appearance in an interview programme on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’.

He blasted the outcome of the 2023 elections, alleging that it was marred by fraud and the legitimization of false figures by the electoral umpire.

The presidential candidate expressed a desire for the 2027 polls to be different, calling on the electoral body and the security operatives to be impartial entities rather than opponents.

“In 2023, I contested against INEC. INEC was the opponent. It’s like you allow a bank robber to count the money stolen from the bank, and you say that’s his profit. So what happened in 2023 was not good at all. All those numbers were fake.

“The difference I would want now, hopefully I pray for the INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, Electoral Commissioners and other staff, that this time around no candidate should see INEC as an enemy.

“So if it is candidate versus candidate, then we are ready. But there is no candidate who should be unfortunate enough to be running against INEC, like we were running against INEC in 2023, and that is what we need to change.

“And I pray that we pay attention to that and we become serious to run for an election. It’s like to write an exam, your score to reflect your effort, and that is it,” he said.