Fresh concerns over religious representation have surfaced within the All Progressives Congress in Niger State, with a prominent party chieftain warning that the party’s Muslim-dominated lineup for the 2027 elections could alienate Christian voters and threaten its electoral dominance.
Former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, said the outcome of the APC’s recent primaries has reinforced longstanding complaints of political exclusion by Christians, arguing that the party risks paying a heavy political price unless it deliberately addresses what he described as a widening imbalance in the distribution of elective offices.
Speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa urged Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to nominate a Christian as the party’s deputy governorship candidate, describing the move as the minimum step needed to restore confidence among Christian supporters ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The former APC state publicity secretary alleged that the party’s candidates for the state’s three senatorial seats, 11 House of Representatives constituencies and 26 of the 27 State House of Assembly seats are Muslims, leaving only one Christian candidate on the legislative ballot.
He further claimed that the pattern mirrors appointments under the current administration, alleging that all 25 local government chairmen are Muslims, while about 98 per cent of their deputies also belong to the same faith.
According to Vatsa, the situation contradicts the governor’s public posture of religious inclusiveness and has fuelled discontent within the Christian community.
“It is not about attending church programmes, singing choruses or making donations. True inclusiveness is reflected in appointments and elective positions. That is what people want to see,” he said.
Warning of possible electoral consequences, Vatsa said the APC could lose a significant bloc of Christian votes if the perceived imbalance is left unaddressed.
“The only practical way to reassure Christians is to pick a Christian deputy governor. That will give people like us the confidence to return to our communities and campaign for the party. Anything short of that will not augur well for the APC,” he stated.
He also argued that an opposition party presenting a governorship ticket with a Christian running mate could capitalise on growing dissatisfaction within the Christian community and attract sympathy votes.
Vatsa maintained that the 2027 elections would be shaped more by the credibility and acceptability of candidates than by party loyalty, insisting that voters are increasingly paying attention to issues of fairness, inclusion and representation.