The All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Niger State ahead of the 2027 general elections have exposed deep internal divisions within the party, with several aspirants and stakeholders alleging manipulation, failed logistics and unfair consensus arrangements.
What was expected to strengthen party unity reportedly turned into a battle of competing political interests, as complaints over imposition, exclusion and irregularities dominated the exercise across different constituencies.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier held a series of meetings with aspirants, party executives and stakeholders at the Government House in Minna in an attempt to maintain peace within the party.
During the consultations, the governor encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements where possible, insisting that unity within the APC remained important ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also assured party members that direct primaries would be conducted fairly in areas where consensus could not be achieved, while warning against violence, intimidation and political thuggery.
Despite those assurances, controversies emerged in several parts of the state during the primaries.
Niger East Consensus Arrangement
In Niger East Senatorial District, tension reportedly rose between Senator Mohammed Sani Musa and former Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Bello Bawa Bwari, who is believed to be politically close to Governor Bago.
Following intervention by senior party leaders and the governor, Senator Sani Musa eventually emerged as the consensus candidate for the district.
Speaking after the agreement, the senator described the outcome as a “no victor, no vanquished” situation and urged party supporters to remain united.
However, political observers argued that the development highlighted the growing influence of elite negotiations in determining candidates within the party.
Failed Voting Process In Niger South
The biggest disruption during the APC primaries reportedly occurred in the Niger South Senatorial District, where direct primaries failed to hold in several wards because electoral materials allegedly did not arrive.
Party members in Bida, Katcha and surrounding communities claimed they waited for several hours at designated centres without seeing electoral officials or voting materials.
Some party supporters described the process as disorganised and lacking transparency, while others questioned the preparedness of party officials.
Aspirants Reject Outcomes
In Paikoro Local Government Area, House of Representatives aspirant Alhaji Adamu Makun Sheikh threatened legal action over alleged irregularities during the primary election.
He claimed that voting was only conducted in a few wards before officials failed to continue the process.
Another controversy emerged in Chanchaga Federal Constituency, where APC aspirant Alhaji Shaibu Usman Abubakar Mairago rejected the outcome of the exercise.
Mairago alleged that the primary election was manipulated to favour another aspirant, adding that some of his supporters were denied access to voting centres.
According to him, he was pressured by party stakeholders to step down under a proposed consensus arrangement, but he refused.
Crisis Over Consensus Candidates
In Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency, aspirant Shehu Samaila Auna openly rejected the emergence of Professor Yakubu Auna as consensus candidate.
He argued that the process failed to reflect the wishes of all aspirants and called on the APC National Working Committee to cancel the arrangement and organise fresh direct primaries.
Meanwhile, zoning disagreements also triggered tension in some constituencies, especially in Lapai/Agaie Federal Constituency, where youth groups opposed what they described as political dominance by Agaie.
Resignation Rocks APC
The internal crisis further deepened after APC foundation member Alhaji Abubakar Katcha resigned from the party following the Niger South Senatorial primary election.
In his resignation letter dated May 19, 2026, Katcha said the primaries failed to reflect democratic principles and disappointed many loyal party members.
Former APC chieftain Jonathan Vatsa also criticised the conduct of the primaries, warning that imposition and lack of fairness could weaken trust within the party.
Despite the criticism, Governor Bago defended the use of consensus arrangements, saying they were necessary to reduce conflict and strengthen party unity ahead of the general election.
Political analysts believe the APC primaries in Niger State have exposed growing struggles over control, representation and internal democracy within the party as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
