Coalition says a balanced APC governorship ticket in 2027 will promote inclusion, fairness and strengthen support among Christian voters
A coalition of Christian stakeholders under the aegis of the Concerned Christians in Niger State has called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to choose a Christian as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, arguing that such a decision would promote fairness, inclusiveness and strengthen support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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The group made the appeal during a news conference in Minna, where its chairman and former Niger State APC Publicity Secretary, Jonathan Vatsa, said the selection of a Christian deputy governor would address growing concerns over the alleged marginalisation of Christians within the ruling party.
According to Vatsa, the coalition was not seeking preferential treatment but was advocating what it described as equitable representation in the political structure of the state.
“We are calling on Governor Mohammed Bago and all major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress to facilitate the emergence of a Christian running mate to the governor for the 2027 gubernatorial elections,” Vatsa said.
“We vehemently reject the continuous Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket, given our contributions, dedication and population in the state.”
The coalition alleged that Christian members of the APC were sidelined during the party’s most recent primary elections, claiming that several aspirants were persuaded to withdraw from contests because of their religious background.
Vatsa further argued that the composition of elected and nominated officials within the APC reflected what the group considered an imbalance.
“Christians constitute over 45 per cent in terms of population. The ruling government has undermined and relegated Christians to the background,” he said.
He claimed that all 25 local government chairmen in the state are Muslims, while almost all vice-chairpersons and the party’s candidates for senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats are also Muslims.
The coalition particularly urged the governor to consider choosing a deputy from Niger State’s Zone B, where it said a significant proportion of the state’s Christian population resides.
“Information at our disposal indicates that we have more Christians in Zone B of the state. Then why not give the zone fair treatment by picking a deputy from amongst Christians?” Vatsa asked.
“We supported your governorship candidature during the 2023 elections. This time around, we are demanding that the APC ticket reflects fairness, equity and inclusiveness by ensuring a Christian becomes your running mate.”
Also speaking, the coalition’s secretary, Jude Johnson, said many Christian members of the APC had expressed dissatisfaction with the prospect of another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket.
“Politically, economically, educationally and socially, for us to accept another four years of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is unacceptable,” Johnson said.
“This is a legitimate concern for equity, and no one can query our right to demand for a seat at the table.”
The appeal comes as political consultations and alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties beginning internal discussions over prospective candidates and power-sharing arrangements.
Questions surrounding religious and regional balance have increasingly featured in Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly following the adoption of same-faith tickets in some high-profile elections.
Supporters of such arrangements have argued that competence should remain the overriding consideration in selecting candidates, while critics contend that balanced representation is essential in a religiously and ethnically diverse country.
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As of the time of filing this report, Governor Mohammed Bago and the Niger State chapter of the APC had not publicly responded to the coalition’s demands.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
