A former senior aide to ex-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has raised the alarm over what he described as the imminent collapse of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, warning that the ruling party could face a massive defection of key stakeholders if urgent intervention is not made.
Idris called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to immediately step into the festering crisis rocking the party in the state, saying the situation had reached a dangerous stage.
“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.”
His warning comes amid fresh 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 have intensified in recent weeks, with many reportedly considering alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Investigations revealed that the aggrieved camp includes former commissioners who served under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former appointees of Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, members of the 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.
“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.
Also confirming the growing discontent, a former Chairman of Lapai Local Government Area, who requested anonymity, said arrangements had been concluded by many stakeholders in the area to exit the APC.
He expressed fears that even those who may remain in the party could eventually engage in anti-party activities during the 2027 elections.
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, as calls and messages sent to some party officials were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of 2027, the emerging cracks within the Niger APC appear to signal the beginning of an intense battle for the control of the state’s political structure.
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