A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to pick a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election, warning that the party risks losing support over what he described as the marginalisation of Christians.

Vatsa gave the warning while speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday, arguing that the APC’s recent primary elections, in which almost all candidates emerged as Muslims, had heightened concerns among members of the Christian community.

He claimed that only one Christian secured the party’s ticket for the State House of Assembly, representing Munya Local Government Area, while all three senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates and 26 of the 27 House of Assembly candidates are Muslims.

According to him, Christians have also been largely excluded from political appointments, citing the composition of local government leadership across the state.

The former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism

alleged that despite Governor Bago’s public engagement with Christian groups, the pattern of appointments and candidate selection tells a different story.

“It’s not about attending church programmes, singing choruses or making donations. What matters is fairness and inclusion in appointments and elective positions,” he said.

Vatsa argued that choosing a Christian deputy governorship candidate in 2027 would help address the perceived imbalance and strengthen the APC’s chances at the polls.

“That is the only way people like us can confidently approach the Christian community to campaign for the party. If an opposition party picks a Christian deputy governor, it could attract sympathy votes,” he said.

Vatsa also maintained that the 2027 elections would be driven more by the credibility of candidates than party platforms.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, has announced that the commission has received over N500 billion, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the budget allocated for the 2027 general elections.

During an interview with Arise News on Friday regarding election readiness and funding, Haruna expressed that the disbursement of these funds is a positive development. 

However, he also highlighted INEC’s concerns regarding outstanding debts from previous elections and the timely release of the remaining funds necessary to fully implement their plans.

He said, “Currently, we have received more than half of the allocated funds, approximately N500 billion or slightly more. This represents over 50% of the total amount.

“Naturally, there are still some issues to address. We have debts from the last general election due to insufficient funding at that time. 

“We owe contractors around six billion, and from the statutory allocation of over 140 billion for that year, we still have an outstanding amount of over 20 billion. I believe it was just this month that the first 500 billion was released, about a week or two ago.”

In response to concerns regarding delayed funding, Haruna stated that INEC has already commenced preparations for the 2027 elections, which includes plans to acquire additional BVAS devices and other essential election materials.

“Certainly, we are concerned. Everyone shares this concern. Ultimately, the funds must be available. Therefore, it is encouraging news that more than half has been released. 

“However, even prior to this, we have been engaged in extensive preparations. For example, the Director of ICT, along with another individual, traveled to China to finalize the importation of BVAS, which is crucial to our current electoral process.

“As I mentioned, in anticipation of this, we have been undertaking significant preparatory work,” Haruna emphasized.

Amid growing concerns over possible violence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Friday visited the state and disclosed that no fewer than 20 people had allegedly lost their lives within the past few months.

Disu spoke during a meeting at the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo, where he warned political actors against turning the electoral process into a violent confrontation.

The police chief assured residents and political stakeholders that adequate security arrangements would be put in place to guarantee a peaceful election.

According to him, he had received detailed briefings from the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, and also held discussions with Governor Ademola Adeleke during his visit.

“If my records are accurate, over 20 people have been killed within a number of months. We are preparing for an election, not a war,” Disu said.

He explained that security agencies had received numerous allegations and complaints involving members of different political parties in the state.

The IGP further revealed that the commissioner of police had informed him about certain suspects allegedly being shielded inside the Government House, a claim he described as disturbing.

“I raised the issue during my meeting with the governor, and he responded clearly that even if his own child was involved in criminal activity, such a person should be arrested,” Disu stated, noting that senior police officers, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, witnessed the discussion.

The police boss stressed that anyone involved in acts of violence or killings would face the full weight of the law, warning that criminal activities would no longer be tolerated.

“Nobody can take another person’s life and expect to move around freely. That is why I came down from Abuja personally to address this issue,” he said.

Disu reiterated that the police would provide a secure atmosphere for political campaigns and the election itself, insisting that democratic activities must be conducted peacefully.

“We will ensure that all parties campaign freely and safely. But those planning violence should know that it will not be business as usual. Human life is sacred, and no one has the right to take it,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a video of the meeting between the IGP and Governor Adeleke, the governor maintained that his administration remained committed to peace and stability in the state.

Adeleke also reportedly declared that he had no objection to the arrest of any individual found to be involved in criminal activities.

The development comes amid renewed political tension in the state, following calls by the Imole Campaign Council, which coordinates Adeleke’s re-election campaign, for the redeployment of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan over allegations of bias and partisanship.