A coalition of Christian organisations and human rights groups under the banner of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN) has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress, and other American officials, warning that the continued use of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the APC in the 2027 elections poses a serious threat to Christians in Nigeria.
The group said it was renewing calls for international attention to what it described as worsening insecurity affecting Christian communities.
In the petition, CYAN commended the recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States, arguing that the move acknowledged the religious dimension of attacks on Christians.
The coalition claimed that despite the designation, killings have continued, citing the recent deaths of Christians in Kaduna State as evidence that the security situation remains critical.
The group argued that the Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket, first used in the 2023 election, broke Nigeria’s tradition of balancing the nation’s top political offices across religious lines.
According to CYAN, the arrangement has contributed to feelings of exclusion among Christians and has allegedly emboldened extremist groups operating in parts of the country. CYAN also criticised the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists, claiming that public resources are being used to support former insurgents while many victims of violence remain displaced and underserved.
The coalition further raised concerns over Nigeria’s engagement of international lobbying firms in Washington, urging US lawmakers not to rely solely on government-backed narratives when assessing conditions in Nigeria. The petition called on the United States to maintain Nigeria’s CPC designation and make any future review dependent on independently verified improvements in the safety and protection of Christian communities.
The document was signed by several leaders of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria, including Chairman Zariyi Yusuf Madaki and Secretary Nasiru Jagaba, alongside other religious and civil society representatives.
