Niger APC Christian aspirants exclusion claim emerges as group alleges marginalisation in APC National Assembly primaries in Niger State
The Niger State Christian Voice in Politics and Governance has raised concerns over what it describes as the Niger APC Christian aspirants exclusion claim, urging Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to intervene in the ongoing National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
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The group made the allegation during a press briefing in Minna on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, warning that the reported exclusion of Christian aspirants could deepen political and religious tensions in Niger State.
Convener Habila Daniel Diko alleged that Christian aspirants seeking Senate and House of Representatives tickets had been systematically sidelined under the party’s consensus and zoning arrangements.
He described the situation as a deliberate effort that could undermine fair representation and weaken confidence in the democratic process if not urgently addressed.
According to him, the process has left Christian aspirants without meaningful opportunities among those emerging as National Assembly candidates, raising concerns over inclusivity in the party structure.
Diko further claimed that despite ongoing primaries in some constituencies, there were indications that influential political arrangements were being used to disadvantage certain aspirants.
He also referenced concerns over leadership representation, noting that key political offices in the state were already perceived as lacking balanced religious inclusion.
While acknowledging the governor’s zoning framework aimed at promoting fairness across geopolitical areas, the group insisted that the current APC primaries had allegedly been influenced in ways that undermined equal participation.
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Claims of Christian aspirant exclusion in Niger APC primaries has yet to receive an official response from the state chapter of the APC, as attempts to reach its Publicity Secretary, Musa Sarkinkaji, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
