Niger APC Chieftain Vatsa warns against candidate imposition, stresses the importance of internal democracy
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna
Ahead of the primary elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections, Niger State APC Chieftain Hon. Jonathan Vatsa has cautioned the party to avoid imposing candidates on the people, as doing so could harm their chances in the upcoming elections.
He specifically emphasized that internal democracy must be maintained and allowed to prevail, because the party cannot afford to go into the elections divided. He stressed that no individual should be favored ahead of the official party primary.
The former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism in the state made this warning when speaking to selected journalists in Minna on Friday, as the party’s primary elections gain momentum this month.
He insisted that any move by the party to grant an automatic ticket to any aspirant would spell disaster for the party. All contenders must be allowed to participate in an open primary to determine the party’s candidates for all seats.
“That is the only way that we can go to the general elections as a united family, especially now that the opposition is waiting for a slip by the ruling party,” he said.
The outspoken former publicity secretary warned the ruling party to be cautious of the opposition, noting that “they are capable of causing upset if we do not do the proper thing and keep the party united.”
He also warned that “imposition of candidates, especially the unpopular ones, on the people will be a huge mistake by the party, as it can fuel anti-party activities, which will have huge implications in the general elections.”
Vatsa voiced his concern that “I have heard authoritatively that the party is contemplating a consensus arrangement for the primaries in my state, and that will be a disaster; it cannot sell.”
He stated, “There must be a level playing field for every aspirant during the primaries, democracy must be allowed to prevail.”
According to him, if a popular candidate is allowed to emerge, the party will have less work during the campaign. But he warned that “if the party decides to go ahead with any undemocratic arrangement, it will have itself to blame.”
On security issues, Vatsa commented that the escalation of banditry and the overall security situation across the country are poor advertisements for the government.
“I said it before, but nobody took my warning seriously. The same scenario played out in 2014 ahead of the 2015 general elections, and former President Goodluck Jonathan was blamed and voted out,” he recalled.
He added, “The whole thing is about 2027, and this is affecting the popularity of the government every day. The hardship, too, is not helping matters, but unfortunately, everything is being put on President Tinubu’s head, and I don’t think so,” he concluded.
