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By Correspondent in Minna.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Niger State, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, has warned that the alleged imposition of unpopular candidates under the guise of consensus arrangements could spell political trouble for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, cautioned that any attempt by the party leadership to sideline the wishes of the electorate in selecting candidates may push voters towards opposition parties that offer what he described as “more favourable conditions.”
Speaking with journalists in Minna on the unfolding political developments in Niger State and across the country, the former APC Publicity Secretary expressed concern over what he termed “anti-people arrangements” being promoted in the name of consensus.
According to him, the approach allegedly being adopted by some party leaders in the state has the potentiality to hurt the APC’s chances in the next election cycle.
He maintained that political processes at the local, state and national levels should remain transparent and democratic, warning that denying party members and citizens the opportunity to freely choose their leaders could provoke widespread resentment.
Vatsa said Nigerians should be allowed to determine who governs them through credible democratic processes, stressing that non-performing leaders must be voted out, if democracy is to thrive.
“Trying to satisfy a few political interests at the expense of the people is not politics. You can only rig elections when the people are with you,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further warned against weakening opposition parties, describing attempts to create a one-party state as dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
“When you strangulate opposition parties to create a one-party state, you are inviting serious anarchy. People will resist it because one-party state is not in our constitution and is alien to our politics,” he said.
Our reports that Vatsa’s remarks come amid growing political realignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with debates intensifying over internal party democracy, governance and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
