If Not For The Muslim-Muslim Ticket, I Would Have Been Part Of Bola Tinubu’s Campaign -Akande

Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has disclosed that his objection to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the major reason he did not participate in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign during the 2023 general election.

Akande made the disclosure during an interview on Symfoni TV on Friday, October 23, 2026, while discussing Nigerian politics, religious representation and the factors that influenced his decisions during the last presidential election.

Explaining his position, the former presidential aide stated that he would have been willing to participate in Tinubu’s campaign if the APC had chosen a different arrangement for its presidential ticket.

“If not for the Muslim-Muslim ticket, I would have been part of Bola Tinubu’s campaign,” Akande said.

His remarks suggest that the religious composition of the APC ticket played a decisive role in determining whether he would associate himself with the campaign, despite his willingness to consider supporting Tinubu under different circumstances.

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the APC’s decision to nominate Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, as its presidential candidate and Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, as his running mate generated widespread public debate.

The arrangement attracted criticism from individuals and groups who argued that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be reflected in the country’s highest political leadership positions.

Some critics expressed concerns about religious inclusion and the potential implications of having two Muslims on the same presidential ticket in a country with substantial Christian and Muslim populations.

However, the APC defended its decision, with supporters of the ticket arguing that the selection was based on political considerations and the candidates’ qualifications rather than religious identity.

The controversy remained a prominent issue throughout the election campaign, with political leaders, religious organisations and members of the public expressing different opinions about its significance for national unity and representation.

Akande’s latest comments provide further insight into how the decision influenced the political calculations of individuals who might otherwise have participated in Tinubu’s campaign. His statement indicates that the ticket’s composition was a significant obstacle to his involvement.

Click in the link to watch the video from 1:05:09 – 1:05:17

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