A coalition of Christian stakeholders in Niger State has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to nominate a Christian as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, warning that failure to do so could result in protest votes among Christian members of the All Progressives Congress.
The group, known as Concerned Christians in Niger State, said the call was intended to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equitable representation within the ruling party.
Speaking at a press briefing in Minna, the coalition’s chairman and former APC Publicity Secretary in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, alleged that Christians had been marginalised in the party’s internal processes and denied opportunities to contest elective positions.
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He claimed several Christian aspirants were persuaded to withdraw from the APC’s recent primaries and urged Governor Bago to ensure the party’s 2027 governorship ticket reflects religious balance.
According to Vatsa, selecting a Christian deputy governor would reassure Christian supporters and strengthen unity within the party.
The coalition also argued that Christians remain underrepresented in elective and appointive positions within the state and called on the APC leadership to address what it described as longstanding concerns over inclusiveness.
The group’s secretary, Jude Johnson, said many Christian members of the party opposed the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket, describing the demand for a Christian running mate as a legitimate appeal for equity and fair representation.
The call comes as political consultations continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mohammed Bago and the Niger State chapter of the APC had not publicly responded to the coalition’s demands as of the time of publication.
