Former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has declared that no amount of harassment, intimidation or blackmail will force him to abandon his opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He also commended Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for reportedly choosing a Christian as his running mate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Vatsa, an APC chieftain, said Governor Sani’s reported decision to pick a Christian from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District as his deputy reflected political maturity, fairness and religious sensitivity.

Speaking to journalists in Minna, the former APC Publicity Secretary in Niger State said the governor had distinguished himself from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, by embracing what he described as a “faith-balanced” ticket.

According to him, the decision would promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen political inclusion and reassure Christians in Kaduna State of their place in governance.

“I want to commend Governor Uba Sani for this singular gesture towards the Christian community in Kaduna State.

He has distinguished himself from those who profess love for Christians publicly but sideline them when it comes to appointments and elective offices,” Vatsa said.

He urged Christians in Kaduna State to rally behind Governor Sani, insisting that the governor deserved their support for what he described as an inclusive approach to leadership.

Vatsa, however, reiterated his opposition to the Muslim-Muslim tickets adopted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, describing the arrangement as politically insensitive and unacceptable.

“I stand by my earlier condemnation of the same-faith ticket at the federal level and in Niger State. These decisions are politically insensitive and unacceptable,” he stressed.

Vatsa insisted that no amount of harassment, intimidation or blackmail would make him change his position, stressing that speaking against any form of marginalisation was a moral obligation.

“Even if you don’t like the messenger, you should take the message. You don’t go to church to sing choruses and dance with Christians and when it comes to appointments or elective offices, you marginalise them,” he said.

Vatsa maintained that he would continue to speak out regardless of threats, adding that as a pioneer member of the APC who sacrificed for the party ahead of the 2015 elections, nobody could intimidate him.

“Anything anybody thinks he has acquired to harass and intimidate others is temporary because when the time comes, we shall all leave with empty hands,” he further added.

Dutch giants Ajax are on the verge of signing Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare from Wolverhampton Wanderers after the two clubs reportedly reached an agreement over a season-long loan move.

The Amsterdam club has identified the Super Eagles forward as its top attacking target and is now putting the finishing touches on the transfer.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Ajax have agreed to a loan deal that includes a €22 million option to buy, although the clause is not compulsory.

The Eredivisie club will reportedly pay a loan fee and cover the striker’s full salary during his stay in the Netherlands.
Only the final contractual details remain before the transfer is officially completed.
The move comes after a challenging period for Arokodare at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 25-year-old found himself at the centre of controversy after reports claimed a confrontation occurred during training when the club’s new manager informed him that he was no longer part of the first-team plans.

Police in Casablanca have arrested a hotel employee suspected of stealing money from members of Nigeria’s Super Falcons during the team’s stay in Morocco ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The arrest was carried out by the judicial police in Casablanca’s Anfa district after several players reported that cash had gone missing from their rooms at the Marriott Hotel.

The incident came to public attention after Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo revealed on social media that $700 had been stolen from her wallet.

Okoronkwo also alleged that several of her teammates discovered money missing from their rooms during the team’s stay.

The Super Falcons’ media officer later confirmed that the matter had been officially reported to the Moroccan authorities, who immediately launched an investigation.

According to a statement from Moroccan police, investigators identified a hotel employee as the prime suspect in the case.

A search conducted by officers led to the recovery of 10,000 Moroccan dirhams, an amount authorities believe represents the total sum stolen from the Nigerian players.

Police said the suspect allegedly exchanged the stolen U.S. dollars for the local currency before being apprehended.

The employee remains in police custody while investigations continue under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office.

Despite the off-field distraction, the Super Falcons have continued their preparations for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco.

Head coach Justine Madugu will lead the reigning African champions into their Group C opener against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, before subsequent fixtures against Zambia and Egypt.

Nigeria enters the tournament seeking a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title while also targeting one of the four automatic qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.