2027: ‘We won’t accept Muslim-Muslim ticket’ – Niger Christian stakeholders warn Gov Bago, APC

A coalition of Christian leaders and stakeholders in Niger State has demanded that Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, field a Christian as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election, warning that anything short of that could cost the party its support.

The demand was made on Tuesday in Minna by the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders, CCCS, during a press briefing addressed by the coalition’s Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson, with the Chairman, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, and other members of the coalition lending their support.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Johnson said the group would no longer accept what it described as the continued marginalisation of Christians through another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket.

He argued that Christians constitute more than 45 per cent of Niger State’s population and therefore deserve fair representation in the state’s highest political offices.

Johnson further alleged that during the APC primaries, several qualified and popular Christian aspirants were pressured to abandon their ambitions because of their religious identity, describing the development as discriminatory and unacceptable.

According to him, although Christians supported Governor Bago’s election in 2023, their continued support for his second-term ambition now depends on the emergence of a Christian deputy governorship candidate.

He urged the governor to nominate a Christian from Niger East Senatorial District (Zone B), insisting the zone has competent APC members and a significant Christian population deserving of political representation.

Johnson added that Governor Bago’s visits to churches and engagements with the Christian community had created expectations that he would uphold fairness and religious balance by choosing a Christian running mate.

The coalition warned that another Muslim-Muslim ticket would be viewed as a disregard for the principles of equity, justice and inclusion, adding that Christians across the state may be compelled to seek alternative political options.

Supporting the position, the coalition’s Chairman, Jonathan Vatsa, a founding member of the APC in the state and former commissioner of Information and Strategy said the demand was not intended to divide the state along religious lines but to promote justice, fairness and inclusive governance in a multi-religious society.

According to Vatsa, having a Christian deputy governor is about ensuring every segment of the state’s population has a sense of belonging in government and strengthening unity and democracy.

“We demand a Christian Deputy. Niger State must reflect the religious and social diversity of its people, ” the coalition declared.

The group maintained that giving Christians the deputy governorship slot would demonstrate the APC’s commitment to fairness and inclusiveness, while urging Christians across the state to remain united in what it described as their legitimate struggle for equal political representation.

2027: ‘We won’t accept Muslim-Muslim ticket’ – Niger Christian stakeholders warn Gov Bago, APC