An APC chieftain in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, advises Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to select a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election. Speaking in Minna, Vatsa warns that the party could lose votes if Christians continue to be sidelined in politics and appointments. He points to what he describes as an imbalance following the APC primaries, saying almost all candidates are Muslim: he cites only one Christian among State House of Assembly nominees, and he says all three senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates, and 26 of 27 House of Assembly candidates are Muslims. Vatsa also argues that Christians are underrepresented in political appointments, despite Bago’s public outreach to Christian groups. He says inclusion must be reflected in fair appointments and elective positions, not in symbolic actions such as attending church programmes or making donations. He further suggests that if opposition parties field Christian running mates, they could gain sympathy support from the Christian community, while maintaining that candidate credibility will be a key factor in the elections.