Niger APC chieftain, Jonathan Vatsa
A senior chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has raised concerns over the future of Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vatsa warned that the country could face serious political tension if key democratic institutions fail to maintain fairness and neutrality. He specifically expressed concern over what he described as the actions of the judiciary and the perceived “body language” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking with journalists after a thanksgiving service to mark his 64th birthday in Minna, the former APC publicity secretary cautioned that certain decisions by democratic institutions could create instability.
“Their actions and body language are capable of throwing the country into anarchy and truncating democracy,” Vatsa stated.
Beyond national concerns, the APC chieftain also predicted a major internal crisis within the ruling party, saying the challenges facing the APC could become more serious than those of opposition parties.
He questioned the delay in releasing the results of the party’s primary elections, which he claimed had remained unresolved nearly two months after they were conducted.
“The day the results are released will mark the beginning of the mother of all crises in the APC,” he warned.
Vatsa accused the party of weakening internal democracy by allegedly imposing candidates through consensus arrangements. According to him, the process denied many aspirants a fair opportunity to compete.
He described the situation as “the biggest political deceit since 1999,” arguing that the consequences of such decisions could affect the party’s future.
The former commissioner also criticised what he considered unfair treatment within the party, questioning why some politicians are allowed to pursue extended political careers while others seeking another term face restrictions.
“This level of injustice is enough to trigger rebellion within the party. People are keeping quiet because they want food on their tables, but the anger is there,” he said.
Reflecting on his contribution to the formation of the APC, Vatsa said some founding members now feel excluded from the party they helped build.
“We pushed the broken-down vehicle called APC into motion in 2015, but today those who joined later are occupying the house. I am one of the landlords and I cannot abandon my house for tenants,” he added.
His comments have further intensified discussions about internal democracy, party unity, and the future of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
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