Crisis Rocks Niger APC As Ex-Governor’s Aide Warns Against Looming Mass Defection

The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger state, has taken a fresh twist as a former senior aide to ex-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Ibrahim Idris, warned that the ruling party could witness a mass defection of key stakeholders unless President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, urgently intervene.

Idris alleged that the internal crisis has reached a critical stage and could seriously undermine the APC’s fortunes in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged President Tinubu and the APC national leadership to step into what he described as the festering crisis before it escalates beyond control.

“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,” Idris stated.

His warning came amid indications that several former commissioners, ex-political appointees, serving lawmakers and grassroots leaders are perfecting plans to dump the ruling party over alleged marginalisation and dissatisfaction with the management of internal party affairs.

Multiple sources familiar with the development disclosed that consultations among the aggrieved stakeholders had intensified in recent weeks, with many reportedly considering alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Investigations revealed that the aggrieved camp includes former commissioners who served under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former appointees of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, members of the Niger State House of Assembly and several influential party leaders across the state’s 25 local government areas.

A prominent member of the coalition from Suleja Emirate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the group had agreed to await the release of the APC’s authentic list of candidates before unveiling its next political move.

According to him, the planned action is aimed at resisting what he described as the increasing concentration of political power in the hands of a few individuals.

“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.

He added that consultations were ongoing with community leaders, political actors and grassroots structures across the state, saying “we are building a formidable coalition that cuts across various political interests.

“Once our position is made public, many people will realise that the current situation within the party is no longer sustainable,” he stated.

Confirming the growing discontent, a former chairman of Lapai local government council who also requested anonymity, said arrangements had been concluded by many stakeholders in the area to exit the APC.

He expressed fears that even those who might remain in the party could eventually engage in anti-party activities during the 2027 elections if the crisis is not resolved.

Efforts to obtain reactions from the Niger state APC leadership were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to some party officials were not returned as of the time of filing this report.