A coalition of Christian leaders and stakeholders in Niger State has called on Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that a Christian is chosen as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.
The group, operating under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Stakeholders in Niger State, warned that it would be forced to consider alternative political options if another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket is presented in 2027.
Addressing journalists in Minna, the Chairman of the coalition and former Niger State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Vatsa, rejected the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket, arguing that Christians have made significant contributions to the state’s political development and deserve adequate representation.
According to Vatsa, Christians account for more than 45 per cent of the state’s population and alleged that they had been marginalised during the recently concluded APC primaries, claiming that many Christian aspirants were pressured to abandon their ambitions under zoning arrangements.
The former APC founding member and one-time state Publicity Secretary maintained that qualified Christian politicians from Zone B possess the experience and capacity to serve as deputy governor.
He stressed that the coalition’s demand is for inclusiveness, equity and fair representation, insisting that Christians in the state should not be treated as second-class citizens.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Jude Johnson, said the group’s position was not driven by religion but by the principles of justice, fairness and inclusivity.
He urged Governor Bago to address the concerns raised by the coalition and ensure that all segments of the state’s population are fairly represented in the APC’s leadership and electoral arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.
