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‘Primaries was demonstration of Craze’- Vatsa faults APC Primaries in Niger

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has strongly criticised the just concluded National Assembly primaries of the party, describing the exercise as a “facade” and a “mockery of democracy,” warning that the party risks internal collapse if urgent reforms are not undertaken.

Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State and pioneer Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, made the remarks in Minna on Wednesday while reacting to the outcome of the senatorial and House of Representatives primaries held across the state and other parts of the country.

He said the exercise left behind a trail of disappointment, allegations and credibility concerns, insisting that the ruling party had failed to learn from past political mistakes that continue to affect governance and internal democracy in Nigeria.

“What transpired during the just concluded National Assembly primaries can best be described as what the late Afrobeat legend, Fela, would call a ‘demonstration of craze’,” Vatsa declared.

According to him, reports of massive financial inducement allegedly dominated the process, with claims that some aspirants spent as much as ₦150 million in pursuit of party tickets through what he described as a deeply flawed and manipulated system.

He alleged that despite the heavy financial and political investments made by aspirants, many were left disappointed as the process allegedly failed to reflect fairness, transparency, or genuine democratic competition.

“The irony is unavoidable because many of the aspirants now lamenting the outcome were among those who maintained silence when some of us raised serious concerns over exclusion, manipulation and political neglect,” he said.

Vatsa further lamented that the APC, which came to power in 2015 on the promise of transparency and anti-corruption, had now deviated from its founding principles. All what we campaigned against in 2015 that earned us the confidence of Nigerians, we are now doing worse than that, and this is quite unfortunate.”

“As a pioneer member of this party, I never envisaged this level of manipulation that has characterised the primaries so far. It is unacceptable,” the party chieftain added.

He warned that failure to urgently reconcile aggrieved members and restore confidence in the party’s internal processes could lead to widespread disaffection and anti-party activities ahead of the general elections.

Vatsa also urged the party leadership to acknowledge flaws in its internal democracy, drawing a parallel with the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who admitted that the system that brought him to power was faulty, insisting that the APC must confront its internal challenges honestly in order to regain public trust. 




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Insecurity: Nigerians deserve dividends of democracy not carnage – APM to govt

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The Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has told the government of the day that Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy rather than the violent deaths of numerous individuals and widespread devastation.

The party made the statement in response to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s acquisition of surveillance aircraft to enhance security operations within the state.

The two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are reported to possess the capability to identify targets from both high and low altitudes.

A statement issued by Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the National Chairman of the APM and also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), emphasized that governance should prioritize the welfare of citizens.

He said that, if utilized effectively, the aircraft would support the efforts of the nation’s security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities in Oyo State.

The APM, under which Governor Makinde is reportedly campaigning for the presidency in 2027, urged governments to prioritize the safety of lives and property over political interests.

“The well-being of the populace is the essence of democratic governance,” the party stated. “Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy, not violence.

“Together, we will establish a robust, stable, progressive, equitable and dignified democratic society that future generations will take pride in.”




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‘Mobilise for APC or resign’ – Yilwatda warns political appointees

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned political appointees serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration that they must actively support and mobilise for the party or be prepared to leave their positions.

The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, led by the chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustafa Jibrin.

The forum briefed the APC chairman on its grassroots mobilisation plans ahead of the 2027 general election.

“You cannot hide behind the claim of being a technocrat to avoid your political responsibilities. If you accept a political appointment, you must also play your role as a politician,” he said.

The APC chairman further said anyone who did not want to participate in politics should not accept a political appointment in the first place.

The APC national chairman urged the local government chairmen to monitor the political performance of government appointees in their communities and report those who were failing to support the party at the grassroots.

According to him, council chairmen are in a better position to know whether political appointees are making meaningful contributions to the party in their wards.

“You know who is delivering politically at the grassroots. An appointee may be performing well in the office, but if they have no political presence in their ward, that is a problem. Anyone who accepts a political appointment must also accept the responsibilities that come with politics,” he said.

Yilwatda stressed that the APC’s success in the 2027 elections would depend on effective grassroots mobilisation rather than administrative performance alone.

He urged the local government chairmen to point out areas where political appointees were underperforming, identify where the party needed to improve, and highlight weaknesses that should be addressed to strengthen the APC’s chances of winning future elections.

“We will give you our full support in your mobilisation efforts. The party will also support the inauguration of your state coordinators and work with you to organise a mass endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Abuja,” he stated.




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APC is like Prophet Noah’s ark’ — Gov Namadi

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The Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, says joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is like boarding Prophet Noah’s Ark.

Governor Namadi stated this while commenting after receiving the Minority Leader of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

Before his defection, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who represents Birnin Kudu Constituency, was the only House of Assembly member from the opposition PDP.

Governor Namadi explained that in Jigawa, anyone interested in politics should join the APC.

“Today in Jigawa, if you want to engage in politics and you are not joining the APC, you are wasting your time.

“Therefore, the APC is like Prophet Noah’s Ark. Once it starts moving, if Allah helps you board, you have to thank the Almighty for giving you the opportunity to join.

“We thank Allah for the tremendous successes He has continued to grant us through the overwhelming support we are receiving from everywhere,” he said.

To Hon. Ibrahim, the governor said, “Your return brings to the end of opposition in the Jigawa State House of Assembly. No more opposition member. The whole state Assembly is now for APC.”

Earlier, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim said he joined the ruling APC due to its good manifesto and the leadership style of Governor Umar Namadi.

He said that before his defection, he consulted his followers, who all agreed to join him, including some PDP ward and local government executives.

He promised to do his best to ensure the party remained victorious in the coming general election.

The state chairman of the party, Ahmad Garba, assured the lawmaker and other defectors of equal opportunities with other APC members.




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