Niger State’s political landscape is rapidly changing with only six months until the 2027 general elections. New coalitions are starting to develop, old ones are being tested, and parties are shifting their positions.
Disagreements over the results of the party primaries gave rise to defections, attempts at reconciliation, and heightened political consultations, laying the groundwork for what many experts predict will be one of the state’s most contested governorship elections in recent memory.
After contentious party primaries, the ruling All Progressives Congress, or APC, must maintain its hegemony and bring its members together.
Opposition parties, on the other hand, contend that security, governance, public spending, and economic realities have changed the political discourse ahead of the polls in an effort to turn the divisions within the ruling party into electoral wins.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claims it is still in the running despite increased focus on the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is fighting its own internal conflicts over leadership and candidatures amid the shifting alignments.
DAILY POST explores the events influencing the race, the conflicting narratives from the major political players, and the concerns that could affect voters when Nigerians eventually cast ballots as political actors step up discussions and parties rebuild their infrastructure.
APC Primary Repercussions
The APC primaries in May 2026, which produced candidates for a number of elective offices ahead of the elections the following year, are responsible for the present political realignments.
Party officials praised the exercise as a success, while some candidates expressed dissatisfaction with the results, citing concerns over the emergence of candidates in certain areas.
One of the largest waves of defections in the state’s history occurred as a result of some disgruntled members staying in the APC in an effort to make amends, while others started looking into other political options.
According to political analysts, the repercussions from the primaries has continued to affect political calculations, compelling the opposition and the ruling party to reevaluate their plans in advance of the election.
Defections Modify Political Calculations
When the Niger Rescue Movement Political Family said on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that it would abandon the APC in favour of the ADC, such considerations became more apparent.
Along with previous commissioners, chairman of local governments, council members, and other party faithful, the political family, lead by Maikil Al-Amin Bmitosahi, the former chief of staff to former governor Abubakar Sani Bello, defected.
The defectors stated their intention to fight for political change prior to the 2027 general elections, citing discontent with events in Governor Bago’s APC-led administration after the primaries.
The ruling party’s supporters and detractors disagreed on how their choice may affect the governorship contest, sparking an instant debate throughout the state.
The defections, according to opposition groups, were proof that the APC was starting to show signs of weakness. The ruling party, on the other hand, insisted that it remained cohesive and focused while dismissing the action as politically meaningless.
Bago Takes Action to Make Amends with Disgruntled Members
In an attempt to unite the party and resolve issues raised by the primaries in advance of the 2027 elections, Governor Bago called a special conference with APC candidates and unsuccessful contenders a few days later.
The APC leadership increased its attempts to rebuild trust among its members in response to the defections and post-primary unrest.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, APC North Central Zonal Vice Chairman Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, APC State Chairman Aminu Musa Bobi, candidates, aspirants, and other party stakeholders attended the meeting on Saturday, 25 July.
Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s chief press secretary, stated that the meeting’s objectives were to fortify party unity and develop plans to guarantee the success of all APC candidates in the general elections of 2027.
Speaking to the crowd, Bago urged party members to stick with the APC, President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and his administration’s New Niger Agenda.
He urged members to put the APC’s collective interests ahead of their own goals, emphasising that loyalty and togetherness remained essential to the party’s success.
Additionally, the gathering gave candidates and hopefuls a chance to discuss issues raised by the primaries and provide recommendations for bolstering the party in front of the elections.
Days after Governor Bago made comments that sparked political backlash throughout the state, the reconciliation meeting was held.
“I possess their files.”
The governor revealed that he had data pertaining to the immediate previous administration but had purposefully decided not to look into former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on a sympathetic visit to Kagara in the wake of the communal violence in Rafi Local Government Area.
He claimed that while some had pushed him to investigate his predecessor, he valued peace and stability more than political retaliation.
Bago also lambasted politicians who defected from the APC during the primaries, implying that some were motivated more by self-interest than by the state’s general interests.
He also issued a warning against false information and fake news, ordering security services to look into anyone disseminating material that could cause chaos in public.
Government Rejects Political Rift Allegations
The state government rejected rumours that powerful stakeholders had stopped supporting Governor Bago amid the political rumours.
Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s chief press secretary, told DAILY POST that it was untrue that senior state officials opposed the governor’s reelection.
He added that both former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and former military ruler Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida continued to support the administration and praised Governor Bago’s development initiatives.
Bologi also denied rumours that the governor was dealing with an APC internal uprising, stating that efforts at reconciliation were already paying off.
He claimed that the gathering with candidates and hopefuls showed the party’s determination to unite and face the 2027 elections as a single family.
ADC Sees a Chance
The opposition thinks the events offer a chance to change the state’s political environment before 2027 if the APC maintains that the post-primary turmoil has been resolved.
Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi Mohammed, the ADC’s candidate for governor, urged Nigerians to vote out the ruling APC in the upcoming election, accusing the Bago administration of bad governance, a lack of transparency, and a disrespect for due process.
Security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, local government autonomy, and responsible use of public resources would all be given top priority under an ADC administration, according to Kpautagi.
Additionally, he insisted that a change in leadership was necessary due to economic hardship, instability, and what he called bad governance.
Dr. Abdullahi Ishaq, a prominent member of the ADC, stated that the party had been quietly fortifying its structures throughout the state prior to the current political realignments and was not merely relying on the recent defections from the APC.
He claimed that the current surge of politicians into the ADC would increase the party’s grassroots mobilisation in the run-up to the election.
He maintained that insecurity continues to be the largest issue facing many communities in Niger State and added that the protection of lives and livelihoods should be taken into account while evaluating governance, in addition to physical development.
Ishaq added that the party’s campaign would heavily emphasise problems of public spending, economic prudence, humanitarian relief for victims of instability, and service delivery.
PDP Disapproves of the Third Force Label
However, the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, has rejected the idea that the APC and the ADC will be the only candidates for governor.
Hamidu A. A. Kadi Kuta, the party’s State Secretary, told DAILY POST that the PDP is still a powerful political force and should be taken into consideration when evaluating the 2027 contest.
He insisted that the PDP had the organization and ability to run for office and voiced confidence that more political realignments would take place prior to the election.
He claimed that the party was focused on making sure all of its candidates were correctly uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal and bolstering its organization throughout the state.
Kadi Kuta declined to offer a direct evaluation of Governor Bago’s performance, stating that the Niger people should evaluate the current administration against other PDP administrations to determine who was deserving of their mandate.
NDC Fights an Internal Crisis
While opposition parties try to take advantage of the APC’s internal problems, the NDC is dealing with a crisis that has also cast doubt on its electoral readiness.
Mohammed Abubakar Katcha, a House of Representatives candidate for the Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal Constituency, demanded in an early July statement that Ahmed Inuwa, the party’s Niger State Chairman, step down.
Katcha warned that the chairman’s actions might hurt the party’s chances in the 2027 elections, claiming that he had “mortgaged the party in Niger State to advance the interests of APC candidates.”
He also urged the national leadership to step in before things became worse by accusing the state leadership of undermining the party’s internal procedures.
Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad Guregi and Idris Usman Makanta, also known as Shinkafan Nupe, are both vying for the party’s governorship, suggesting that the uncertainty has spread to the ticket.
Many party members were unsettled by the ongoing conflict, a party source who wished to remain anonymous told DAILY POST.
“Our party is currently out of order. Aside from the gubernatorial candidate, Wahala, we still have problems stemming from our primaries. The insider stated, “We believe there are forces out to destabilise our party.”
According to DAILY POST investigations, both candidates have their posters up around the state, both identifying themselves as the party’s nominee for governor.
In a different discussion with media, Makanta refuted allegations that he joined the NDC to support either the APC or Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, despite the fact that some political commentators have connected the problem to purported attempts to undermine the party prior to the election.
Governance Takes the Lead
Before the 2027 governorship election, governance is anticipated to be the main topic of discussion, aside from the shifting political coalitions.
Some of the topics that political parties are anticipated to campaign on include security, infrastructure, public spending, agriculture, education, healthcare, young employment, and the state’s borrowing profile.
According to political expert Mark Martins, it is still premature to say that the election’s result will be determined by recent defections.
He contends that strong grassroots organising, party unity, voter acceptability, and ongoing political participation—rather than just defections—are what win elections.
Performance will be the decisive element for Mahmoud Sani, a commercial bus driver in Minna.
“Individual performance will take precedence over the celebration. I will consider a candidate’s background and accomplishments even if they have never served public office. Nigerians ought to cast their votes for candidates who can deliver.
Niger State’s political calculations are still up in the air as campaigns are about to officially start.
The APC claims to have started making amends with disgruntled members and is still optimistic about holding onto power.
While the PDP maintains that party still has the organization and ability to run for Government House, the ADC feels that recent defections and public discontent have improved its chances.
However, before offering itself as a workable alternative, the NDC must first settle its own conflicts.
Party identification may no longer be sufficient for many residents.
The electorate will ultimately decide whether the incumbent APC wins another term or whether the opposition is successful in altering Niger State’s political course as political parties continue to garner support and solidify their positions.