A coalition of Christian organisations and human rights advocates from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and diplomatic missions over the reported plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress to retain a Muslim Muslim presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
The Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria, CYAN, said the continuation of a ticket pairing President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima could deepen religious divisions and worsen insecurity affecting Christian communities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The petition was made available to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, after being submitted to US authorities. It was signed by CYAN Chairman Zariyi Yusuf Madaki, Secretary Nasiru Jagaba, Luka Binniyat, Steven Kefas, Ier Jonathan Ichaver, Apostle Michael Olowokeere and Emmanuel Zopmal, among others. Copies were also addressed to the US Secretary of State, members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Nigeria.
CYAN said it was renewing its appeal for sustained American attention to what it described as the worsening security situation facing Christians in Nigeria. The coalition welcomed the United States decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, saying the designation had increased international scrutiny of attacks against Christian communities. However, it argued that the designation had not stopped the violence.
The group cited the reported killing of at least 30 Christians in Naridon community in Kaduna State as evidence of the continuing security crisis. CYAN argued that retaining a same faith presidential ticket in 2027 could further aggravate the situation and described the political arrangement as a major threat to the safety and representation of Christians, particularly in the northern region.
The coalition also challenged the political precedent established by the 2023 Tinubu Shettima ticket. According to CYAN, Nigeria had traditionally sought to balance the presidency and vice presidency across religious lines, and the 2023 arrangement departed from that practice. The group contended that the change had contributed to what it considers the political exclusion of Christians and had broader implications for religious representation and security.
CYAN further referred to a 2023 video involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai, presenting remarks attributed to him as evidence of a political mindset the coalition wants rejected. The petition also mentioned former communications minister Isa Pantami while raising concerns about what it described as the political system’s tolerance of individuals accused of making extremist statements.
Another major point of contention was the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals described as repentant terrorists or militants. CYAN called for the policy to be abolished, arguing that people responsible for terrorist attacks should instead face prosecution and punishment.
The coalition also raised questions about Nigeria’s international lobbying efforts in Washington following the Country of Particular Concern designation. It cited Foreign Agents Registration Act filings and alleged that Aster Legal, a Kaduna based law firm acting for the Office of the National Security Adviser, retained Washington public affairs firm DCI Group under a reported contract worth about 9 million dollars to communicate Nigeria’s record on protecting Christian communities to American audiences.
CYAN said it did not object to Nigeria defending its international record, but urged US lawmakers and officials to rely on independently verified conditions on the ground rather than lobbying or public relations campaigns when assessing the security of Christian communities.
The coalition outlined several demands for the United States. It asked Washington to maintain Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation until there is independently verified improvement in the protection of Christian communities.
It also called on the US Congress and State Department to press Nigeria to reflect the country’s religious diversity in its political leadership, particularly in light of what CYAN considers the political and security risks associated with a same faith presidential ticket.
The group demanded an end to the reintegration of repentant militants and urged that those responsible for terrorist violence be prosecuted. It further called for transparent and independently monitored investigations into major attacks, including the Christmas 2023 violence in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu in Plateau State and the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State.
CYAN also asked that humanitarian assistance continue reaching displaced Christian communities in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Taraba and other affected areas through channels that, in its view, can operate independently of state structures.
In another significant request, the coalition urged the United States to investigate allegations that some Arab countries, specifically Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, may be attempting to influence Nigerian politics by supporting continuation of the Muslim Muslim ticket. The allegation was presented by CYAN as a matter requiring investigation and was not established as fact by the reports reviewed.
The petition places Nigeria’s 2027 presidential contest within a wider debate over religious representation, national security and international scrutiny. While CYAN frames the Muslim Muslim ticket as a serious threat to Christian political inclusion and security, the allegations and demands contained in the petition represent the coalition’s position and should not be treated as independently established findings.
The intervention also signals an effort by Nigerian advocacy groups to take concerns surrounding the 2027 election beyond domestic political debate and directly before Washington as Nigeria approaches another major electoral contest.
