Chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger state, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa has commended the state governor Umaru Bago for appointing more Christians into his cabinet.
This is coming following an outcry by the Christian community of marginalisation.
Vatsa who was a former commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state in a statement in Minna on Thursday, said the appointment of three Christians among the six commissioners nominees by the governor may douse some tension among the Christian community, it is however not enough to address what he called “open marginalization” against the Christians in the state.
It should be noted that the governor had last week approved the appointment of six Commissioners-Designate, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly, among them are three Christians.
The appointees are: Lucky Barau, Gurara Local Government Area, Isah Wakili, Bosso Local Government Area, Dr. Isah Adamu, Kontagora Local Government Area, Emmanuel Alamu, Magama Local Government Area, Shuaibu Saidu Kaboji, Mashegu Local Government Area and Mohammed Danladi Garba.
The former publicity secretary of the ruling APC in the state who has been consistent in his condemnation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the governorship and deputy governorship ahead of the 2027 in the state, insisted that Christians in the state deserved more than what they have gotten from the government in term of representation.
“I want to commend the governor for increasing the number of Christian commissioners in his cabinet from three to six. It’s a welcome development, at least this goes to show that our voices are been heard.
“However I want to say that this is not enough, the Christians deserved more representation in this government going by the population of Christians in the state.
“If the governor decides to go ahead with his Muslim-Muslim ticket for 2027, Christians should be considered for the position of the Secretary for the State Government (SSG) and the Chief of Staff.
“That is the only way the Christian community in the state can have sense of belonging. Until today, former governor Babangida Aliyu administration is the most Christian friendly in the state.
“Apart from having about seven Christian commissioners, the position of SSG and the Chief of Staff were all occupied by Christians at one point or the other. There was equity, justice and fairness”, he added.
The former Special Adviser to the governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and later Media and Communication, maintained that as a pioneer member of the APC, he remained committed to the ideal of the party but insisted that “I will continue to speak against injustice and marginalization no matter the consequences”.
Accordingly, Vatsa said, “I cannot keep quiet and refused to speak when there is lack of of equity, fairness and justice because of what I will eat. I will remain in the party and continue to speak against marginalization of any form”.
He claimed that the continued demand for fairness, equity and justice by people like him informed the decision of the governor to increase the number of Christians in his cabinet, stressing “I was not making the case against Christian marginalization for myself but the need for equal representation.
“Whatever anybody acquired in this world is temporary because at the end, we will all leave this sinful world with empty hands, so I will continue to say it whether it pleases the authority or not”.
He then pointed out that the governor must make a genuine commitment to the Christian community in the state of some key positions like the SSG or the Chief of Staff ahead of the elections, warning that “if any opposition party decides to go ahead with Muslims- Christian tickets, it might be tough for the party”.
