As tensions in the Nigerian presidential elections rise, many worry that the unity of the country will be tested by the strain of religion. The APC party chose a single-faith ticket, consisting of Muslim Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu and Muslim Vice Presidential candidate Kashim Shettima. It is important to understand the role that religion plays in Nigerian politics; given that a sizeable portion of Nigerians vote along religious lines, political parties frequently emphasise a candidate's faith. This becomes an issue when voters are not informed as to how or why the aspect of religion will affect a leader's policies and socioeconomic attitudes and is, instead, used as a type of identity politics - Nigeria's form of populism. A political candidate’s faith and the party's ticket may influence how many voters cast their ballots to vote for them. This is due to the fact that religion, by its very nature, involves strong emotions, which have been demonstrated to influence voting behaviour. The possibility of being treated unfairly because of one's faith would be sufficient motivation to cast a ballot as negative emotions have a significant impact. 

In Nigeria, there are two main religions: the Christians, typically located in the South, and the Muslims, located in the North. Since 2001, there have been fatal conflicts between the two, and their history has been violent and complicated, as seen in places like Kaduna, Bauchi, Jos, and Yelwa. Religion and regional conflicts are interrelated, with access to territory and employment in particular areas constituting a significant percentage of the causes of the conflicts between Muslims and Christians. In this sense, religion is not the main catalyst, but politicians have nevertheless exploited it for their own ends, and in the past, this has proven to be a disastrous course to tread. This was seen in 2011 when results showed that a southern Christian candidate from the PDP party, Goodluck Johnathan was running ahead of Muhammadu Buhari, a Northern Muslim from the CPC party. Numerous Buhari supporters came together in a demonstration that turned into bloody rioting and deaths in multiple northern states, resulting in over 800 fatalities and 65,000 displaced people. This shows how deep the conflicts between the religions run even in more recent Nigerian history. 

Considering this, many Nigerians are concerned about the present APC double-Muslim presidential ticket because it fails to uphold the constitutional need for inclusivity and fairness to all ethnic, geopolitical, and nonreligious communities in the country. People recall that in 2015, during President Buhari's administration, political Islam was embraced by the establishment as a political value. Since the party prioritised northern Muslim interests in policies, programmes, organisations and visits over the rest of non-muslim Nigeria, many Christians were left out and marginalised as a result. The polarisation of Nigeria along ethno-geographic lines was therefore facilitated in this instance, by favouritism and social division based on ethnicity and religion. For reasons such as this, concerns have justifiably been raised across Nigeria about the prospect of an all-Muslim ticket being successful. The same-faith ticket has been opposed by many. Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babashir Lawal, for instance, has referred to the double ticket as a scheme to split the northern sections of Nigeria.

In response to the announcement’s conflicting reactions, statements have been issued asserting that neither presidential candidate, Tinubu, nor Vice President candidate, Shettima, are religious extremists and they have urged the public to look past religious sentiments. Although it is generally regarded as good practice to vote for a leader based on merit rather than their affiliation with a particular religion, region, or tribe, Nigeria may not be ready for a Muslim-Muslim ticket given its recent history. In a country where there is already a high level of class, religious, and ethnic mistrust, any action that might increase this fear and distrust should be avoided.

 This has been acknowledged within the APC party itself, with legislation being proposed by APC senator Adeyemi seeking to prohibit same-faith presidential tickets following the 2023 elections. In the Fourth Republic, the balance of the ticket with a Christian-Muslim presidential and vice presidential candidate has long been respected as the fair strategy for major parties to win elections.  By revising Section 84 of the Electoral Act, this bill aims to go a step further and ensure that no political party shall propose candidates who share the same faith after the 2023 election, thus preventing such controversy in the future. It is important to note that religion is just one of many factors that citizens will be considering when voting. Only the results of the final polls will show whether the APC party's daring attempt will be successful or whether people would prefer the representation that a Christian-Muslim ticket, such as that offered by parties like the PDP, can provide.