A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has urged Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to nominate a Christian as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, arguing that the move would address what he described as the marginalization of Christians and strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday amid concerns within the Christian community over the outcome of the party’s primaries.
He alleged that all APC candidates for major elective offices in the state emerged as Muslims, with only one Christian securing the party’s ticket for a State House of Assembly seat.
According to him, the development has fuelled complaints of exclusion and could weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
“The only way to address this high level of marginalisation is for the governor to pick a Christian deputy governor,” Vatsa said.
“That is the only way people like us can confidently approach the Christian community and campaign for the party. Anything short of that will not augur well for the APC.”
Vatsa, who also served as the party’s former publicity secretary in the state, claimed that Christians have been consistently sidelined in both political appointments and elective positions under the current administration.
He alleged that all 25 local government chairmen in the state are Muslims, while the overwhelming majority of vice chairpersons are also Muslims. He further claimed that the APC’s three senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates and 26 of its 27 House of Assembly candidates are Muslims.
According to him, the governor’s public engagements with Christian communities do not reflect the reality of political inclusion.
“It is not about attending church programmes, singing choruses or making donations. It is about fairness and sincerity in political appointments and allocation of elective positions,” he said.
Vatsa warned that if an opposition party fields a Christian deputy governorship candidate, it could attract sympathy votes from Christian voters.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be driven more by the popularity and acceptability of candidates than by party affiliation.
“I don’t think Nigerians will vote for parties alone; they will vote for candidates,” he said.