ANALYSIS:
On the Consequences of the Failure of APC Leadership to Reconcile Aggrieved Members Ahead of 2027 General Elections in Niger State.
BY YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State is undoubtedly is currently in disarray as it is confronted with growing internal division among some of its heavy weight and major political stakeholders, raising concerns that can consume the party over yet to have cohesion and required preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The division in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state srarted immediately after the 2023 governorship primary election that left behind unhealed wounds on few people following the failure of the party leadership led by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to embark on a genuine reconciliation with the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi and his group.
Forthermore, the recent perceived political differences involving Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (313) and former Governor and Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (Lolo) has tremendously underscores the subject of political dichotomy in the state.
Not withstanding that the APC undoubtedly remains the dominant political party in Niger State, although, it apparently lacked the synergy among some of its leading figures that has raised concerns about the party’s ability to sustain a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.
Be that it may, the situation is reportedly a cumulative one not limited to the party’s major stakeholders. As there are further indication of a cat and dog relationship between the state executive and some members of the Niger State House of Assembly, in addition to the conduct of some local government chairmen allegedly instigated by some individuals which has generated further controversy within the party.
Apparently, the APC leadership in Niger state led by its chairman, Alhaji Musa Bobi lacks coordination, wisdom, ability, honor, integrity, and confidence to genuinely reconcile aggrieved members of the party especially the prominent individuals involved in the internal crisis rocking the party in the state. A disunited home they say is vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, defeats. Hence the need for a quick and holistic reconciliation from the depths of the hearts of the figures.
Just recently, Musa Bobi who is assumed not to have control of the party in an interview made negative utterances against the Imams and Islamic clerics as well as Senator representing Niger North and former governor of Niger state, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello has further decline his public acceptance and trust within the two groups which must have negative implications on the APC led administration in the state. The state party chairman has lost the confidence and trust of majority of the critical stakeholders of the APC in Niger state.
Consequently, the controversial conduct of the APC primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the earlier party leadership who stated clearly that there would be no consensus candidacy, assuring aspirants of a level playing field. However, how failed to adhere strictly to the party provision leading to the current court cases, causing another groups of aggrieved within the Party members.
The Lackadaisical attitude of the party leadership towards a genuine reconciliation is a major set back in ensuring the desired unity and inclusivity in the Niger State All Progressives Congress giving a major advantage to the opposition political party’s to strive confidently in the state.
In Niger State, findings have revealed that certain political interests are being favored at the expense of others. Despite resistance, some individuals appear untouchable due to their political influence, indicating publicly unfair and unjust treatment of party members.
It is important to note that the trend of dangerous endorsements by the governor undermines the fairness of the consensus primaries process should not have been influenced by intimidation, harassment, or imposition that ignores the principles of a fair and transparent process to promote justice and equity.
According to reports, the situation has also been compounded by claims that some political appointees and aides perceived to be loyalists of either Senator Sani Musa or Senator Sani Bello have been relieved of their appointments, fueling the anticipation of an emerging political realignment within the APC in the state.
More importantly, the reported exchange of accusations and harsh rhetoric among some APC stakeholders has heightened concerns about the unity of the party ahead of 2027 in which
political analysts warned that prolonged divisions could create opportunities for the opposition to gaining ground for anticipated victory if nothing is done urgently.
However, the emergence of former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mohammed Nami, as the Niger state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate has also impacted on the political calculations ahead of the 2027 election in the state.
It is good to note that if the PDP and other opposition parties succeed in building a broad and united political coalition, the APC could face a more competitive contest than it might have anticipated. Although the incumbency advantage and structural strength remain crucial assets going into 2027, but the lack of internal cohesion is a dangerous set back that will consume the ruling APC in Niger state.
Moreso, the alleged plan by eleven members of the house of assembly that lost their second term ticket for defecting to the opposition political party especially the PDP to join Mohammed Nami, they are also an aggrieved group within the ruling APC that the opposition can embrace confidently. There is no smoke without fire.
Nevertheless, the Muslim- Muslim 2027 Governorship ticket has also contributed to another division in the party as a group of Coalition of Concern Christian Stakeholders in Niger State have rejected such while advocating for fair and equal representation of christain as deputy governor. Although, that can be settle if other crucial positions can be allocated to body.
Another identified threat, is the Niger Rescue Movement Political Family who were former APC members also resolved to formally align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Niger State. While the ADC governorship candidate Doctor Mohammed Kpautagi Mohammed should not be under estimated by the APC having come from the same zone with the incumbent governor.
The dangerous and greatest threat is that APC may be fighting itself internally while the opposition is busy restructuring itself, most importantly with Mohammed Nami emergence as the PDP’s governorship candidate, making the contest to become considerably tougher, especially if the opposition succeeds in presenting a united front. That will be a game changer in ahead of 2027 elections in the state.
IN CONCLUSION
The APC leadership, therefore, must be able to manage their differences among its major stakeholders, rebuild trust, confidence, and prevent disagreements from degenerating into permanent factionalization. Hence, the urgent need for reconciliation, dialogue and respect for party structures will be critical if the APC will goes in to the 2027 elections as a united political force.
The All Progressives Congress must urgently reconcile its major stakeholders, restore discipline, if it may not realize in 2027 that the battle was lost long ago before the elections when they eventually loss the power to the lucky opposition political party that might have the sympathy of the majority of the voters in Niger state.
It might sound as a warning that the APC strategy of embarrassing irrelevant hungry decampees into it folds should not be seen as a yardstick of defeating the opponents or aimed at demoralizing the opposition political parties because the insect that destroyed the beans is actually inside its seeds.
The ruling party needs to trend with caution if not the unexpected sunamy that happened to the PDP in 2015 will repeat itself but this time in APC come 2027 elections in Niger state. Where the state will for the first time witnessed one term governor in the state.
The Governor’s exhhibiting powers of authority is never a good leadership style in a democratic atmosphere but a military jundism and gangsterism runs with intimidation and harassment hence there is no monopoly of wisdom in leadership. Various types of anti party activities is eminent while protest votes against the ruling APC in underway if reconciliation is not urgently and genuinely done ahead of next elections in the state.
A good leader must avoid arrogancy, set aside pride, self interest and embrace peace, humility, unity, inclusiveness, ensure fairness and justice, accept some set backs and failure in some aspects and indicate readiness to amend. Remember that leaders are one among equals.
On a very serious note, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago must personally visit some critical stakeholders for a genuine reconciliation not a jamboree reconciliation of inviting party members for a so called “APC Stakeholders
Meeting” without genuine processes, therefore, genuine reconciliation should be prioritize. That is the only way the current division in the APC in the state can absolutely be resolved for a united front for the party’s victory with ease ahead of 2027 elections in Niger state or faces self destruction, failure, and absolute defeat at the next general elections in the state.
BY YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA is a Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst in Minna, Niger State.
yamustibina@gmail.com
07/09/2026
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