As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, Christian leaders in Niger State have intensified pressure on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), demanding that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago picks a Christian as his running mate if he seeks a second term.
The demand, championed by the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders (CCCS), has reignited debate over religious inclusion, political representation, zoning, internal party democracy and equitable power sharing in the state.
Although the APC has yet to officially respond, Christian groups insist their agitation is driven by the need for fairness, equity and inclusive governance rather than religious sentiments.
Agitation gains momentum
The latest demand follows months of complaints from Christian groups over what they describe as dwindling political representation in Niger State.
The agitation first gained public attention on May 20, 2026, when the Niger State Christian Voice in Politics and Governance, led by its Convener, Habila Daniel Diko, accused the APC of sidelining Christian aspirants during the party’s National Assembly primaries.
The group alleged that consensus arrangements and zoning were used to edge out Christian aspirants, warning that the development could further reduce Christian participation in politics and discourage young Christians from seeking elective office.
It also raised concerns over the treatment of the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Afiniki Dauda, alleging she came under pressure during the primaries and may not return to the Assembly.
Former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and APC chieftain, Jonathan Vatsa, later warned that retaining another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket in 2027 could alienate Christian voters.
The campaign gathered fresh momentum on July 8, when the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders formally demanded that the APC reserve its deputy governorship ticket for a Christian.
Addressing journalists in Minna, the coalition’s Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson, flanked by Vatsa and other members, said the demand was aimed at promoting justice, fairness and inclusive governance.
“We demand a Christian deputy,” the coalition declared, arguing that leadership in a religiously diverse state should reflect its demographic composition.
The group further stated that while Christians supported Governor Bago’s election in 2023, continued support for his second-term ambition would depend largely on how the APC addresses what it described as the growing imbalance in political representation.
It also urged the governor to consider a Christian from Niger East (Zone B), citing the area’s sizeable Christian population and qualified party members.
Christians cite declining representation
The coalition backed its position with statistics, arguing that Christians have become significantly underrepresented in both elective and appointive offices.
According to the group:
- The offices of Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff are occupied by Muslims.
- All three senators representing the state are Muslims.
- The state’s 11 members of the House of Representatives are Muslims.
- Only three of the 27 members of the State House of Assembly are Christians.
- Only one of the state’s 25 local government chairmen is a Christian.
- Three out of 30 commissioners are Christians.
The coalition maintains that Christians make up about 45 percent of Niger State’s population and deserve broader representation in government.
Looking back
Christian leaders recalled that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu remains the only Christian to have served as Deputy Governor of Niger State, serving alongside the late Governor Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure between 1999 and 2007.
Political analyst Bala John noted that subsequent administrations, particularly under former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, maintained broader Christian inclusion through appointments into key offices, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and several commissioner positions.
“The concern today is not that Christians never had representation. Many simply believe that the level of inclusion has reduced under the current administration,” he said.
Responding to questions over why Christian groups remained largely silent during former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s administration, Vatsa disclosed that the APC had at one point proposed Sunday Kolo as deputy governorship candidate before the ticket eventually went to Ahmed Mohammed Ketso.
He blamed the development on what he described as the erosion of internal party democracy and the weakening of party supremacy.
Vatsa also rejected claims that he only recently began speaking against religious imbalance, insisting he openly opposed the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023.
“I never kept quiet. I spoke when the Muslim-Muslim ticket was adopted at the national level, and I have continued to speak on issues of fairness and inclusion,” he said.
When asked why Christians were not more politically active in previous election cycles, Vatsa admitted the community had been politically passive.
“Yes, we were docile, but it is better late than never. We are awake now,” he said.
More voices back demand
An APC member from Wushishi Local Government Area, Iliya Garba, argued that the call for a Christian deputy governor was about ensuring fairness and strengthening unity rather than promoting religious division.
Similarly, Secretary of OAIC, a bloc of the Niger State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sunday Olayinka Ojimi, accused the present administration of excluding Christians from governance.
He alleged that several Christian aspirants who enjoyed grassroots support were persuaded to step down during the APC primaries, leaving Christians with limited representation in government.
“All we are asking for is the position of deputy governor to ensure equity, fairness and proper representation,” Ojimi said.
Political analyst Bala John also urged political leaders to treat the issue beyond religion, noting that balanced political appointments have historically promoted peaceful coexistence and strengthened public confidence in governance.
Government, APC yet to respond
Efforts to obtain official reactions yielded little response.
Governor Bago’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Bologi, said he was unaware of the coalition’s demands and referred inquiries to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
However, the Commissioner, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, declined to comment, saying he was not familiar with the coalition, although he acknowledged Jonathan Vatsa’s right to express his views.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts to reach the APC Publicity Secretary in Niger State, Musa Sarkinkaji, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned before this report was filed.
Beyond 2027
Whether the APC will eventually concede to the demand for a Christian deputy governorship candidate remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that the issue has evolved beyond a single political request into a broader conversation about equity, inclusion, religious representation and internal democracy within Niger State politics.
As parties begin strategic calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship election, the agitation is expected to shape alliances, campaign strategies and voting patterns, potentially emerging as one of the defining issues in the race for Government House.
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