Mass defection looms in Niger APC as former Bago, Bello appointees plan exit

By: Idris Abdullahi, Minna

*Minna* – July 17, 2026 – A major crack appears to be unfolding within the Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as several former commissioners, ex-special advisers, and some serving lawmakers are reportedly preparing to leave the ruling party.

Sources familiar with the development on Friday in Minna said, that consultations among the aggrieved stakeholders had intensified in recent weeks over the outcome of the party’s internal processes and alleged marginalisation of long-serving loyalists.

According to the sources, those involved include former commissioners who served under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, appointees who served under former Governor and now Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, some serving members of the Niger State House of Assembly who lost the party’s recent primaries, and a large number of grassroots mobilisers.

A key figure in the planned movement, who requested anonymity and is from Suleja Emirate, said the group’s next line of action would be unveiled after the APC released the authentic list of its candidates.

The source said the planned development would “shake the very foundation of the party” in Niger State and demonstrate that “politics belongs to the people, not to a single individual.”

“The aggrieved stakeholders are determined to prove that no one person has a monopoly over the political future of the state,” the source added.

The source also said the coalition had been engaging influential political stakeholders and grassroots structures across the state’s 25 local government areas, expressing confidence that the movement would attract significant support once formally unveiled.

Political observers said such a development could reshape the political landscape in Niger State ahead of the 2027 general elections, given the influence many of the affected individuals command within their constituencies.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain comments from the Niger State APC leadership were unsuccessful.

Analysts said that if the planned defections materialise, they could have far-reaching implications for the APC’s internal cohesion and electoral strategy in the state ahead of 2027.

— attributed anonymous claims properly.