In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
All praise is due to Allah, the Owner of all things. We thank Him, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and His Messenger. To proceed:
O leaders of the ruling APC party in Nigeria! For some time now and more recently we have been hearing statements and rumors circulating in the print media and on social media suggesting that the ruling APC intends, plans, or is considering replacing the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, with a Christian from Northern Nigeria to contest alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, if we are alive. This is allegedly due to pressure being mounted on the President by Nigerian Christians and some foreign governments, such as the United States and others.
As a result of this, the names of three individuals have been mentioned as possible replacements for Kashim Shettima. According to media reports, these individuals are: the current Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; the Catholic Bishop and leader of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Yakubu Dogara.
What I want to first draw the attention of our brothers and neighbors Nigerian Christians to in this matter is this: they should know that Nigerian Muslims are not fighting them, we are not opposing them, and we are not against a Christian becoming Vice President or even President of Nigeria. However, they must understand clearly that any attempt or effort to replace Kashim Shettima by Allah we Nigerian Muslims will view it as a war against Islam or a war against Nigerian Muslims as a whole.
We are aware that although the Muslim–Muslim ticket played a major role in the 2023 election and contributed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu becoming President, by Allah, you know that many of the policies and actions of this Tinubu administration favor Nigerian Christians and not Muslims. Yet despite this, we have not complained, we have not raised alarm, we have not caused unrest, nor have we shown anger or resentment. And yet, you still insist on fighting Muslims by replacing Kashim Shettima with a Northern Christian.
We are a people who love peace, unity, and progress.
Therefore, know this, as I have said by Allah, by Allah, by Allah we will see this as a war against Nigerian Muslims. And indeed, without any doubt, this can bring serious setbacks, losses, and major problems to your APC party in the 2027 elections.
Now the decision rests with you. If you choose to rethink and change course, fine. If you choose to proceed with this misguided decision of yours, then know that you will surely face the consequences. As we discuss with people and listen to public opinion, the truth is that this will not be good for you at all.
Please allow Tinubu and Kashim Shettima to complete their joint tenure. After that, you may bring whomever you wish Muslim or Christian.
At that time, everyone can support the person, especially if you present a good and credible candidate. But at present, simply because some people have expressed opposition to the current arrangement, and you choose to submit to their views, then we Muslims will rightly see that this fight is not against Kashim Shettima alone, but against all of us.
Therefore, for the sake of peace and unity, do not allow this current arrangement to be changed. If you refuse to heed advice, then the field is open—and you will be shocked.
When Muslims accept a Christian candidate, we do not oppose him. So why are you opposing a Muslim matter? For Allah’s sake!
Know this clearly: Muslims in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Abuja, and indeed Muslims across the southern states of Nigeria will understand that because Nigerian Christians oppose this arrangement, the government has chosen to side with them to fight Nigerian Muslims as a whole. Therefore, change your thinking. This will not work it is like firing a gun into water!
Moreover, this flawed thinking of your APC party will further worsen the lack of harmony between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
May Allah protect us and grant us peace and unity. Ameen.
Whether we like it or not, whether we accept it or not, in our country Nigeria especially in the North religion has a very strong influence and plays a significant role in leadership, elections, and voting. Whoever understands this understands it; whoever does not, does not.
Peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
Your brother,
Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau,
who wrote this in an effort to promote peace, unity, and development in our country, Nigeria.
He can be reached on the following phone number: 08038289761.
