A major political crack has hit the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State as former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Mikail Al-Ami Bmitosahi, led the Niger Rescue Movement, NRM, Political Family out of the ruling party to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, accusing Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of sidelining stakeholders and disregarding advice.
Speaking at a press conference in Minna on Thursday, Bmitosahi said the decision followed wide consultations with political leaders, stakeholders, youths and women across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the group chose the ADC because it offers a credible platform built on inclusiveness, internal democracy and solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians.
According to him, the movement would immediately activate its structures in all 25 local government areas to deliver victory for the ADC in 2027.
“Our people deserve security, jobs, quality education, quality healthcare, potable water and good roads. We believe the ADC provides the best platform to achieve that,” he said.
Bmitosahi vowed that the group’s campaign would reach every ward, village and polling unit, insisting it would focus on issues rather than politics of bitterness.
The former Chief of Staff also took a swipe at Governor Bago’s style of governance, alleging that the governor ignores advice from elders and senior political stakeholders.
He claimed that unlike the administration of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, where projects were debated at executive council meetings before implementation, Bago allegedly announces projects without consulting members of his cabinet.
Also speaking, former Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Mamman Musa, said the group resolved to quit the APC after concluding that the state was heading in the wrong direction.
“We have structures across the 25 local government areas and wards. We are determined to rescue the state from what we consider bad leadership and waste of public funds,” Musa said.
He alleged that several stakeholders had offered advice to Governor Bago on governance but claimed the governor refused to listen.
According to him, “I have personally and including some of us here spoken to him, but he doesn’t listen to anyone. Some elders and stakeholders have tried too. He simply does what he wants. Our decision is not about personal interest but about the growth and development of Niger State.”
On speculation that the defection was linked to any disagreement between former Governor Bello and Bago, Musa dismissed the claim, saying, “If there was any problem between them, you would have heard. We took this decision on our own because the issue is beyond the former governor.”