Despite appeals from various quarters for a Christian deputy, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has retained his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
The governor made this known in a viral video during the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, saying there had been widespread speculation about replacing his deputy.
Speaking at the council meeting, he said: “According to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when the governor is to submit his nomination form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he shall nominate a deputy governor.
“In the last few months, a lot of things have been in the air, and we have called you to witness that my Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, is still my running mate in 2027.”
It would be recalled that various groups had called on the governor to consider equity, fairness and inclusivity in the nomination of his running mate.
The groups appealed to the governor to give thoughtful consideration, in the interest of equity, justice, and the continued peace and stability of the state, by choosing a Christian as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, said the governor has the prerogative to nominate anyone of his choice as his running mate, but added that “there is still no equity and fairness in the current government.”
He, however, declared that as an APC member, he supports the farmer governor’s second-term bid but insisted that there should be equal and fair representation of the two major religions.
Gankon Bulus, representing Zone C of the Nigerian Christian Youths in Politics (NICYP), warned that there could be surprises in the forthcoming general election.
According to him, “We are watching. When it is time for politicking, they remember Christians and come to us to mobilise votes, but when it is time to appoint or nominate, we are sidelined. We believe in and stand for equity and fairness in governance.”
