By Peace Udugba
The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) faction led by Julius Abure, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that competence and national interest should take precedence over religious considerations.
Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme on Monday, Arabambi dismissed renewed criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying the debate had outlived its relevance.
According to him, Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration based on its performance rather than the religious identities of its leaders.
“I don’t see any issue in that,” Arabambi said. “The President’s choice should be viewed in the context of political realities and governance, not religion.”
He argued that replacing a northern Muslim with a northern Christian may not necessarily produce the desired political outcome, citing the demographic realities of Northern Nigeria.
“If you decide to pick a northern Christian, they will tell you they are a minority, and that is a fact. The President will not want to go against the political realities,” he said.
Arabambi also rejected claims that the Muslim-Muslim ticket had contributed to insecurity or discrimination against Christians, insisting that criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry affect Nigerians regardless of religion.
“Bandits kill both Muslims and Christians. Criminals do not ask about your religion before attacking. Once they identify a target, they make their demands,” he said.
Defending the APC’s decision further, the Labour Party chieftain argued that selecting another Muslim from Southern Nigeria would have been more politically contentious than retaining a northern Muslim.
He also referenced historical challenges surrounding education in parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Almajiri school initiative introduced during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying such realities should be understood when discussing northern politics.
On the performance of the Tinubu administration, Arabambi maintained that the government should be judged by its achievements over the past three years rather than religious sentiments.
He cited the unification of the foreign exchange market, improvements in fuel supply, reduced fuel queues, and ongoing economic reforms as evidence of progress.
“I don’t think anybody should introduce religious sentiment. The government has performed well on the economy. We now have a unified exchange rate, and whether we like it or not, we no longer queue to buy fuel,” he said.
Arabambi further argued that the administration inherited severe fiscal challenges, particularly in debt servicing, but had made significant progress in stabilising government finances.
Responding to criticism over federal appointments, he insisted that the President had acted within his constitutional powers and that appointments should be based primarily on merit rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
“The power to appoint ministers rests with the President. I believe those appointments should be based on merit,” he stated.
He also pointed to the composition of the Federal Executive Council and the establishment of regional development commissions across the country’s six geopolitical zones as evidence of equitable governance.
According to him, every region now has an opportunity to pursue its development agenda through the commissions, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to fairness and national development.
Arabambi further credited the Tinubu administration with clearing outstanding international financial obligations and improving the government’s ability to meet salary obligations.
He concluded that as political campaigns gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nigerians should focus on governance, economic management and national development rather than religious identity.
According to him, President Tinubu’s record in office should remain the primary basis on which voters assess his administration, stressing that competence—not faith—should determine leadership choices.
