The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has argued that the 2027 presidential election should be driven by competence and justice rather than religious considerations, dismissing renewed conversations around a Muslim-Muslim ticket as politically misplaced.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Adebayo said Nigerians have become more concerned about the quality of leadership than the faith of those occupying public office.
He described the President Bola Tinubu-Vice President Kashim Shettima administration as a “zero-zero ticket,” insisting that the government has failed to deliver the justice and good governance Nigerians expected.
“There is nothing like a Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said. “When this debate first surfaced four years ago, I said those expecting a Muslim-Muslim government under Tinubu and Shettima would be disappointed because leadership in Islam is not measured by identity but by justice.”
Adebayo maintained that Islamic principles require leaders to be chosen based on merit, integrity and the ability to serve the public, not on shared religious beliefs.
“In Islam, leadership is about fairness and responsibility. A good Muslim should support the most qualified person for public office, not someone selected because of religious affiliation or personal loyalty,” he stated.
According to him, the emphasis placed on a Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2023 elections was a political strategy designed to appeal to religious emotions instead of addressing the nation’s pressing governance challenges.
“The entire narrative was created to sway public opinion through religion. Nigerians are not asking for leaders because they are Muslims or Christians; they are asking for leaders who can govern with justice and competence,” he said.
Adebayo further argued that the realities of governance have weakened the appeal of identity politics, pointing to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as an example.
“It is ironic that one of the strongest advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket is today demanding justice. That alone shows that what truly matters is not religion but fairness and accountable leadership,” he said.
He concluded that the political conversation ahead of 2027 should shift from religious balancing to finding leaders capable of addressing insecurity, economic hardship and the country’s broader governance challenges.
“I don’t believe Nigerians are still interested in the Muslim-Muslim debate. They want leaders who can solve problems, restore justice and improve their lives. That is what will shape the 2027 election,” Adebayo said.