Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said that Nigeria will one day elect a president and vice president on a Christian-Christian ticket, insisting that the country's constitution does not mandate religious balancing in political appointments or electoral tickets.

Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today on Tuesday, Sule argued that the 1999 Constitution emphasises inclusiveness, federal character and ethnic representation rather than religious considerations.

The governor made the remarks while responding to criticism from Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who had raised concerns about representation in Nigeria's political leadership.

Sule described Kwankwaso's comments as expected from an opposition politician.

"I think it is normal for Senator Kwankwaso, whom I respect a lot, to say that because he's opposition. He cannot say anything good. It is expected of him to say that," he said.

According to Sule, Sections 14(3) and 15 of the Constitution provide for equitable representation and address issues of ethnicity but make no provision for religious balancing.

 "There is no place where it talks about religion. Section 14 didn't talk about religion. Section 15 did not talk about religion," he stated.

He cited the victories of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, as well as the late Chief MKO Abiola's presidential bid with Babagana Kingibe in 1993, as examples showing that Nigerians can vote beyond religious affiliations.

"You can see both elections have been clear that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has won. I pray that one day Nigeria will have a Christian-Christian ticket, and it will win," Sule said.

The governor also explained that his decision to appoint Emmanuel Akabe, a Christian, as his deputy governor in Nasarawa State was based on competence rather than religion.

He noted that political realities differ across Nigeria's states, pointing out that some states already operate Christian-Christian leadership arrangements.

"I have always had a Christian as a deputy, Emmanuel Akabe. In Nasarawa State, it has always been a Christian. We thought it was important because Emmanuel Akabe is competent and our state is different from Nigeria.

"Take Enugu, for instance, they are Christian-Christian. Take Bayelsa; it's Christian-Christian," he added.

Sule maintained that competence and inclusiveness should remain the guiding principles in political leadership, rather than religious considerations.