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 general elections
The Governor who made this known in a viral video during the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday said a lot of things have been in the air calling for the replacement of his Deputy.
While 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 also we have called you to witness that, my Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba is still my running mate in 2027”.
It should be recalled that various groups have called on the Governor to consider equity, fairness and inclusivity in the nomination of his running mate.
The groups had appealed to the Governor to give thoughtful consideration in the interest of equity, justice, and the continued peace and stability in the state by chooseling a Christian running mate as his Deputy for the 2027 Gubernatorial elections.
Reacting to the latest development, Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders in Niger state, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa said the Governor has the prerogative to nominate anybody of his choice to be his running mate but let it be known that, there is still no equity and fairness in this current government.”
He however declared that as an APC member he is in support of the Farmer governor’s second term bid but 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 elections and I tell you, it shall be a shocking one.
According to him “we are watching, so when it is time for politicking, they remember Christians and come to us to mobilise votes, but when it is time to appoint or select, we are side-lined. We believe and stand for equity and fairness in Governance.”
