BY AHMED AKANBI
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has faulted the party’s decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for 2027, warning that it could trigger a major backlash from Christian voters.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, spoke in Minna, following the APC’s endorsement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 election.
He described the move as a “serious mistake” and said the political calculation that worked in 2023 no longer applies.
”The situation in 2023 is different from what is on the ground today. With the current mood in the country and allegations of persecution of Christians attracting international attention, nobody expected the President to repeat this arrangement,” Vatsa said in a statement.
According to him, those who advised President Tinubu to retain the same-faith ticket did not act in the best interest of the President or the APC.
Vatsa argued that selling the APC to the Christian community in 2027 would be an uphill task, especially as opposition parties are expected to field joint tickets that reflect both faiths.
He said the decision has already put Christian members of the APC in a difficult position ahead of campaigns, and could weaken the party’s support base in the North Central and South.
The APC chieftain also claimed that the international community is closely watching Nigeria’s political climate and the treatment of Christians, urging the party leadership to reconsider the sensitive choice.
”Persuading Christians to vote APC in 2027 with this arrangement will be very difficult. We must be strategic and not take our supporters for granted,” he added.
Tinubu recently secured the APC presidential ticket for 2027 and retained Shettima as his running mate. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions within and outside the ruling party.
Party leaders say continuity and performance will drive the 2027 campaign, but critics like Vatsa insist that political optics and inclusion will matter just as much at the polls.
With consultations for 2027 gathering momentum, the debate over the ticket is expected to shape APC’s outreach to religious groups and swing voters in the months ahead.