As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, calls for greater religious inclusion have sparked fresh controversy in Niger State, with Christian leaders mounting pressure on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate a Christian as Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s running mate if he seeks a second term.
The demand, championed by the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders (CCCS), has reignited discussions over political inclusion, zoning, consensus arrangements, internal party democracy and equitable representation in the state. While the APC has yet to officially respond, Christian groups insist their campaign is driven by the need for fairness and balanced governance rather than religious sentiment.
Agitation predates latest demand
The campaign did not emerge suddenly. It is the culmination of months of complaints by Christian groups, who argue that their political representation in Niger State has steadily declined.
The agitation 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 marginalising Christian aspirants during the party’s National Assembly primaries.
The group alleged that zoning and consensus arrangements were used to sideline Christian contenders, warning that the trend could further discourage Christians, particularly young people, from participating in politics. It also expressed concern over the treatment of the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, alleging she faced pressure during the primaries.
The organisation warned that unless the situation was addressed, Christians risked losing what remained of their influence in the state’s political leadership.
Former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and APC chieftain Jonathan Vatsa later added his voice, cautioning that the party could alienate Christian voters if it retained another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket in 2027.
The campaign intensified after the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders formally called on the APC to reserve its deputy governorship ticket for a Christian.
Addressing journalists in Minna on July 8, 2026, the coalition’s Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson, alongside Vatsa and other members, maintained that the request was aimed at promoting justice, fairness and inclusive governance.
According to the coalition, Christians played a significant role in Governor Bago’s 2023 electoral victory but warned that continued support for his re-election bid would depend on whether concerns over political representation were addressed.
The group further urged the governor to consider selecting a Christian running mate from Niger East (Zone B), citing the area’s sizeable Christian population and qualified APC members.
Representation concerns
Supporters of the campaign point to the current composition of political offices in the state as evidence of what they describe as growing imbalance.
At present, the offices of Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff are all occupied by Muslims. The state’s three senators and all 11 members of the House of Representatives are also Muslims.
Within the 27-member House of Assembly, only three lawmakers are Christians, with Deputy Speaker Afiniki Dauda remaining the highest-ranking Christian elected official. However, following the APC primaries, she is not expected to return to the Assembly.
Similarly, only one of the state’s 25 local government chairmen and three of its 30 commissioners are Christians.
The coalition argues that although Christians account for a substantial percentage of Niger State’s population, their representation in elective and appointive offices has continued to diminish.
Historical perspective
Those backing the campaign argue that previous administrations maintained a more balanced approach to appointments.
Since Nigeria returned to democratic rule 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 during former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s administration, Christians occupied strategic positions, including Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and several commissioner portfolios, while Christian and Muslim pilgrims received government sponsorship for pilgrimages.
According to him, many Christians believe political inclusion has reduced under the current administration.
Responding to questions over why Christian groups remained largely quiet during former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s administration, Jonathan Vatsa claimed efforts were made to produce a Christian deputy governor at the time, but the proposal was eventually abandoned.
He also maintained that he had consistently spoken against religious imbalance in politics, including his opposition to the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 general election.
Admitting that Christians had not always been politically organised, Vatsa said, “We were docile, but it is better late than never. We are awake now.”
More stakeholders weigh in
Other stakeholders have also backed the call for greater inclusion.
APC member Iliya Garba described the demand for a Christian deputy governor as a call for fairness rather than religious division, arguing that equitable representation strengthens unity and public confidence in governance.
Similarly, Sunday Olayinka Ojimi, Secretary of OAIC, a bloc within the Niger State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), alleged that Christian aspirants who enjoyed grassroots support were persuaded to step down during the APC primaries, leaving Christians with limited political representation.
Political analyst Bala John also urged political leaders to view the issue beyond religious identity, arguing that balanced appointments have historically promoted peaceful coexistence and strengthened public trust.
Political implications
Supporters of the campaign insist their demand extends beyond securing the deputy governorship position, stressing that governance should reflect the diversity of Niger State.
Jonathan Vatsa warned that if opposition parties field a Christian deputy governorship candidate while the APC retains another Muslim-Muslim ticket, many Christian voters could reconsider their political allegiance.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has declined to comment extensively on the agitation. Governor Bago’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Bologi, referred enquiries to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, who said he was unaware of the coalition’s demands but noted that Vatsa was entitled to his personal views.
The Niger State APC also did not respond to requests for comments before the report was filed.
With preparations for the 2027 governorship election already taking shape, the debate over religious representation is expected to remain one of the major issues shaping political alignments, party strategies and voting patterns in Niger State.
BACKSTORY:
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace across Nigeria, political discussions have increasingly shifted from campaign promises to issues of inclusion, power-sharing and representation within the country’s major political parties.
In Niger State, these conversations have taken on a religious dimension, with Christian leaders accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of gradually sidelining members of their faith in elective and appointive positions. They argue that the dwindling number of Christians occupying key political offices has raised concerns about equity and balanced representation in a state with a religiously diverse population.
The latest agitation is being spearheaded by the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders (CCCS), which is demanding that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago nominate a Christian as his running mate if he seeks re-election in 2027. According to the coalition, the demand is not intended to create religious division but to promote fairness, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging for all citizens.
The campaign follows months of complaints from various Christian groups over what they describe as political marginalisation during the APC’s internal processes, including the party’s National Assembly primaries. Some stakeholders have alleged that consensus arrangements and zoning disadvantaged Christian aspirants, reducing their chances of securing elective offices.
Although the Niger State Government and the APC have yet to officially endorse or reject the demand, the issue has sparked wider debate among political stakeholders, analysts and civil society groups over religious balance, internal party democracy and the future of political representation in the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
