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From John Adams, Minna
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised the reported retention of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, saying another Muslim-Muslim ticket would not enjoy the support of many Christians.
Vatsa described the decision as a direct insult to the Christian community, arguing that repeating the same ticket used in the 2023 election was insensitive.
In a statement issued in Minna on Saturday, the former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said whoever advised the President and the APC to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket “did not mean well” for either the President or the ruling party.
“The situation in 2023 is different from what is on the ground now. I think this is a grievous mistake by the APC to have allowed this. It is highly insensitive,” he said.
According to him, the President and the ruling party had made their task more difficult ahead of the 2027 general election.
“With the current situation in the country and the allegations of persecution of Christians attracting international attention, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” he said.
Vatsa argued that persuading Christians to vote for the APC would be difficult if other political parties field Christian presidential or vice-presidential candidates.
“Nobody can convince the Christian community in the country to vote for the APC in 2027 where other political parties have Christians as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates. It will be a difficult sell.
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“What this means is that the President and the APC have made the campaign very difficult for Christian members of the party ahead of the election. What do you expect us to tell the Christian community—to vote for another Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he asked.
Vatsa, who recently appealed to Niger State Governor Umar Mohammed Bago to consider a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election, said the concerns of Christians should not be ignored.
Drawing from a biblical analogy, he said the situation could be likened to “the stone the builders rejected,” arguing that no structure could stand without it.
Describing another Muslim-Muslim ticket as unacceptable, he warned that the decision could have serious political consequences.
“Except the President has a different plan towards winning the election apart from the normal balloting, this choice will have grievous consequences,” he said.
He maintained that many Christians already feel insecure and would be more comfortable with a Christian occupying the office of the Vice President.
“As things stand now, they will be more comfortable where they feel protected,” he added.
Vatsa also said the international community was closely monitoring political developments in Nigeria, particularly issues affecting Christians.
“I have nothing against the Vice President or the Muslim community, but I am speaking for equity, justice and fairness in the country’s political arrangement,” he said.
