A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has warned that the party could lose significant support from Christian voters if President Bola Tinubu retains Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna, the former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism described the reported decision to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket as politically insensitive, arguing that the circumstances that led to its adoption in the 2023 election no longer exist.
Vatsa said repeating the same-faith ticket would be viewed by many Christians as a disregard for equity and inclusiveness.
“I think this is a grievous mistake by the APC. It is highly insensitive,” he said.
According to him, those pushing for the arrangement “do not mean well” for President Tinubu or the ruling party, warning that the decision could alienate Christian voters ahead of the next general election.
“With the current situation in the country and the concerns over the safety of Christians, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” Vatsa stated.
He questioned how the APC would persuade Christians to support another Muslim-Muslim ticket, particularly if rival political parties present tickets that reflect greater religious balance.
“What do you expect us to tell the Christian community—to vote for another Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he asked.
Vatsa, who recently urged Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to consider a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election, maintained that many Christians already feel marginalized and would have greater confidence in a ticket that reflects religious diversity.
He cautioned that retaining the current presidential ticket could have serious electoral consequences for the APC in 2027.
The APC stalwart, however, clarified that his comments were not directed against Vice President Kashim Shettima or the Muslim community.
“I have nothing against the Vice President or the Muslim community. I am speaking for equity, justice and fairness in the political arrangement of the country,” he said.
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