A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised the reported decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, warning that Christians will not support another Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Vatsa described the move as “a direct insult” to the Christian community, saying it was politically insensitive and could cost the ruling party Christian votes.
In a statement issued in Minna on Saturday, the former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said the circumstances that justified the same-faith ticket in 2023 no longer existed.
“I think this is a grievous mistake by the APC. It is highly insensitive,” he said.
According to him, those behind the decision “did not mean well” for the President or the party.
“With the current situation in the country and the concerns over the safety of Christians, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” Vatsa said.
He argued that the APC would struggle to convince Christians to support its ticket in 2027, especially if other political parties field Christian candidates.
“What do you expect us to tell the Christian community, to vote for another Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he insisted.
Vatsa, who recently urged Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to pick a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election, said Christians already feel insecure and would be more comfortable with a Christian vice-presidential candidate.
He warned that repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket could have “grievous consequences” for the APC’s electoral chances.
The APC stalwart, however, clarified that his position was not against Vice President 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 added..
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