Columnist, Stephanie Shaakaa has examined the All Progressives Congress decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term.

She argues that the choice has sparked reactions that go beyond ordinary political disagreement.

In her piece, Shaakaa notes that political decisions are interpreted through the experiences of citizens rather than solely through the intentions of those who make them. She says every nomination and ticket sends signals about who is visible in national life and who may feel sidelined.

The writer points out that Nigeria’s stability has long relied on formal and informal balancing of regions and religions to maintain trust among diverse communities.

She contrasts the current situation with the 1993 Abiola-Kingibe ticket, arguing that the political context then was different and less charged with identity anxieties.

Shaakaa observes that shared economic hardships affect all Nigerians regardless of religion, yet questions of representation often gain greater weight during difficult times. She suggests that when public trust is strained, concerns about inclusion become tied to broader feelings of fairness and legitimacy.

At its core, the column frames the debate as a question about the nature of the Nigerian republic. Shaakaa asks whether inclusion remains a central principle of nation-building or whether it can be set aside when political calculations demand it, warning that a gradual loss of shared belonging could weaken national cohesion.

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