The political landscape in Niger state is shifting as the 2027 general elections approach, with opposition parties People's Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) making inroads into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Several defeated APC aspirants and former cabinet members of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago have defected to the opposition parties. This development has created a stir within the APC, with some members reportedly planning to jump ship.
A group of 15 legislators who did not secure tickets to return to the house of assembly have formed a group, known as the Group of 15, and are reportedly planning to team up with opposition parties. The opposition parties' plan is to unseat Governor Bago, who won the governorship in 2023 after representing Niger East senatorial zone for three terms. The Niger South Senatorial zone, which controls a large chunk of votes, is a key area of focus for the opposition.
Investigations have revealed that the opposition to Governor Bago's second term is being secretly backed by prominent politicians from within and outside the state, including some from the ruling APC. The grouse of the defecting politicians is that they were allegedly shortchanged by the APC during the party primary election. They claim that no primary election was held in the state, and Governor Bago unilaterally handpicked the APC candidates.
Former Senator Mohammed Bima and incumbent Senator Peter Nda Alikali have corroborated the claims of irregularities in the APC primary election. Alikali, who defected to the APC from the PDP, lost the party ticket to Mohammed Sani Kutigi, son of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria. Alikali's ambition has been thwarted, and he has lost out in the new arrangement.
The PDP has confirmed the nomination of Alhaji Mohammed Mamman Nami as its governorship candidate, after Abubakar Sulaiman stepped down for him. Nami, a former boss of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was endorsed by the new group at a gathering held at the State PDP Secretariat. The PDP has affirmed Nami's nomination, setting the stage for a potentially fierce battle for the governorship.
The opposition parties' strategy is to capitalize on the discontent within the APC and woo more members to their side. With the Niger South Senatorial zone being a crucial area, the opposition parties are likely to focus their efforts there. Governor Bago's ability to withstand the opposition's challenge remains to be seen.
As the 2027 general elections draw near, the political tension in Niger state is expected to escalate. The APC's jittery reaction to the defections and the opposition parties' plans to unseat Governor Bago have set the stage for a dramatic showdown. The outcome will depend on various factors, including the opposition parties' ability to consolidate their gains and the APC's response to the challenges.
Key points
- Opposition parties PDP and ADC are wooing defecting APC members to unseat Governor Mohammed Bago in 2027.
- Defected politicians claim they were shortchanged by the APC during the party primary election.
- The PDP has confirmed the nomination of Alhaji Mohammed Mamman Nami as its governorship candidate.
