Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A deep crisis is threatening to tear apart the All Progressives Congress in Niger State, as aggrieved stakeholders have threatened a mass defection from the ruling party over allegations of candidate imposition and what they describe as the growing concentration of political power in the hands of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The development comes amid allegations that the governor has been determining who emerges as candidates for elective positions based on personal preferences, a situation that many party members reportedly consider undemocratic and contrary to the principles of internal party democracy.
Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that consultations among aggrieved stakeholders have intensified in recent weeks, with several former commissioners, ex-political appointees, serving lawmakers and grassroots leaders allegedly perfecting plans to dump the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Investigations revealed that the aggrieved camp comprises former commissioners who served under Governor Bago, former appointees of former Governor Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, members of the Niger State House of Assembly and several influential party leaders spread across the state's 25 local government areas.
According to the sources, Governor Bago has allegedly been imposing candidates within the APC, a move that has angered many stakeholders who regard the practice as undemocratic and inconsistent with the party's ideals. A prominent member of the coalition from Suleja Emirate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the aggrieved group had resolved to wait for the release of the APC's authentic list of candidates before announcing its next political move. "This movement will shake the foundation of the APC in Niger State. Politics belongs to the people and not to one individual. Many loyal party members who laboured for the party's success now feel alienated and ignored," the source said.
Amid the growing crisis, a former senior aide to ex-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, warned that the APC in Niger State was heading towards collapse unless the party's national leadership intervenes urgently. He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to step into the crisis before it escalates further. "As it stands today, if the President and the National Chairman fail to intervene swiftly, I doubt if there will be anything substantial left of the APC in Niger State after 2027," Idris said. "This is the same party many of us sacrificed to build over the years. Sadly, it is gradually disintegrating under our watch because of the selfish interests of a microscopic few".
The crisis has already led to concrete defections. Three former commissioners who served in the last administration in the state—Mamman Musa, Mai Nasara Dan Mallam and Yusuf Suleiman—have dumped the party. In addition, all members of the forum of former councillors from Bida Local Government Area have defected from the party, citing lack of internal democracy. The latest defection of former top political appointees was led by a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Alhaji Maikil Bmitosahi, who accused the governor of running a one-man government.
The aggrieved stakeholders have also formed a coalition known as the "Niger State Rescue Movement," an amalgamation of prominent past and present members of the party. The group, which includes some former commissioners and special advisers in the administration of Governor Bago, has formally aligned with the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections. Alhaji Mikhail Alamin Emitoshahi, a former federal lawmaker and ex-Chief of Staff of the Niger State Government House, declared at a press conference that the movement decided to pitch tent with the ADC because it sees it as a credible platform for new thinking and internal democracy. "We have watched ADC position and see it as a credible platform for new thinking, for internal democracy, and for giving Nigerians especially the youths a real voice in 2027," Emitoshahi said.
The Rescue Movement pledged to mobilise all its structures across the 25 local government areas to work for ADC victory in the 2027 elections. Immediate past Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Mamman Musa, said the movement is spread across all 25 local governments. The ruling APC is yet to react to the development.
Political observers believe the unfolding crisis may be linked to the struggle for political supremacy ahead of the next electoral cycle, as different interest groups reposition themselves for relevance. They warn that any mass defection by prominent political figures with established structures could significantly alter the political landscape of Niger State and pose a serious threat to the APC's dominance in one of its traditional strongholds in the North-Central region. Efforts to obtain reactions from the Niger State APC leadership were unsuccessful.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments