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• Says Christians deserve more to address marginalisation
From John Adams Minna
A chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa has commended the state governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago for appointing more Christians into his cabinet, describing it as a welcome development.
The former commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, in a statement in Minna yesterday, said the appointment of three Christians among the six commissioner-nominees by the governor might douse some tension among the Christian community. It is, however, not enough to address what he called “open marginalisation” against the Christians in the state.
The governor had, last week, approved the appointment of six commissioners-designate, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly, among them are three Christians.
The appointees are Lucky Barau, Gurara Local Government Area; Isah Wakili, Bosso Local Government Area; Dr. Isah Adamu, Kontagora Local Government Area; Emmanuel Alamu, Magama Local Government Area; Shuaibu Saidu Kaboji, Mashegu Local Government Area and Mohammed Danladi Garba.
The former publicity secretary of the ruling APC in the state who has been consistent in his condemnation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the governorship and deputy governorship ahead of the 2027 in the state, insisted that Christians in the state deserved more than what they had gotten from the government in term of representation.
“I want to commend the governor for increasing the number of Christian commissioners in his cabinet from three to six. It’s a welcome development, at least, this goes to show that our voices are being heard.
“However, I want to say that this is not enough. Christians deserve more representation in this government going by their population in the state.
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“If the governor decides to go ahead with his Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, Christians should be considered for the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chief of Staff.
“That is the only way the Christian community in the state can have a sense of belonging. Until today, former Governor Babangida Aliyu administration remained the most Christian-friendly in the state.
“Apart from having about seven Christian commissioners, the position of SSG and the Chief of Staff were all occupied by Christians at one point or the other. There was equity, justice and fairness,” he added.
The former Special Adviser to the governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and later Media and Communication, maintained that as a pioneer member of the APC, he remained committed to the ideals of the party but insisted, “I will continue to speak against injustice and marginalisation no matter the consequences.
“I cannot keep quiet and not speak when there is lack of of equity, fairness and justice because of what I will eat. I will remain in the party and continue to speak against marginalisation in any form.”
He claimed that the continued demand for fairness, equity and justice by people like him informed the decision of the governor to increase the number of Christians in his cabinet, stressing, “I was not making the case against Christian marginalisation for myself but the need for equal representation.
“Whatever anybody acquired in this world is temporary because at the end, we will all leave this sinful world with empty hands, so I will continue to say it whether it pleases the authority or not.”
He stressed that the governor must make a genuine commitment to the Christian community in the state for some key positions like the SSG or the Chief of Staff ahead of the elections, warning that “if any opposition party decides to go ahead with Muslims- Christian tickets, it might be tough for our party.”
