The All Progressives Congress in Niger State may face a tougher battle in the 2027 governorship election if an opposition party fields a Muslim-Christian ticket, a chieftain of the party, Jonathan Vatsa has warned.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, gave the warning while reacting to Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s recent appointment of six commissioners-designate, three of whom he identified as Christians.
The APC chieftain welcomed the appointments but argued that the development was not enough to address what he described as the marginalisation of Christians in the state.
He said the religious composition of the next governorship ticket could become a major electoral issue, particularly if the APC proceeds with a Muslim-Muslim ticket while an opposition party offers a Muslim-Christian combination.
“If any opposition party decides to go ahead with a Muslim-Christian ticket, it might be tough for the party,” Vatsa warned.
Vatsa, a former publicity secretary of the APC in the state, has been critical of the proposed Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
He urged Bago to consider Christians for key government positions, including the Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff, if the governor retains the Muslim-Muslim arrangement on the governorship ticket.
“If the governor decides to go ahead with his Muslim-Muslim ticket for 2027, Christians should be considered for the position of the SSG and the Chief of Staff,” he said.
Vatsa said such appointments would help give Christians a stronger sense of belonging in the administration.
The APC chieftain also praised Bago for increasing the number of Christian commissioners in his cabinet from three to six, describing it as a sign that concerns from the Christian community were being heard.
“I want to commend the governor for increasing the number of Christian commissioners in his cabinet from three to six. It’s a welcome development, at least this goes to show that our voices are being heard,” he said.
He, however, insisted that Christians deserved more representation in government.
“However, this is not enough. The Christians deserve more representation in this government going by the population of Christians in the state,” he added.
Vatsa contrasted the present administration with that of former Governor Babangida Aliyu, which he described as the most Christian-friendly government in the state.
He recalled that Aliyu’s administration had about seven Christian commissioners and that Christians occupied the offices of SSG and Chief of Staff at different times.
“There was equity, justice and fairness,” he said.
The former Special Adviser on Public Private Partnership and Media and Communication said his criticism of the APC was not motivated by personal interest.
“I cannot keep quiet and refuse to speak when there is lack of equity, fairness and justice because of what I will eat. I will remain in the party and continue to speak against marginalisation of any form,” he said.
Vatsa said he would continue to raise the issue despite the political consequences, insisting that his demand was for equal representation.
“I was not making the case against Christian marginalisation for myself but the need for equal representation,” he said.