Fresh cracks have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State as stakeholders from the Agwara/Borgu Federal Constituency have openly rejected Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s directive on zoning and consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Bago, at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Minna last week, had directed the party to adopt zoning and consensus mechanisms for the emergence of candidates, warning that where consensus fails, direct primaries should be conducted in line with APC guidelines.
However, stakeholders from Agwara and Borgu, who met on Sunday in New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area, pushed back strongly, insisting that all elective positions in the constituency must remain open to all qualified aspirants.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and chaired by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the stakeholders declared that there is no existing zoning arrangement for House of Representatives or any other political office in the constituency.
They maintained that any contest for the 2027 elections must strictly follow the APC constitution and democratic principles, allowing a level playing field for all aspirants.
The communiqué, however, noted that in the interest of long-term stability, stakeholders had agreed in principle that a zoning arrangement between Borgu and Agwara LGAs would take effect from the 2031 general elections.
According to the resolution: “All elective offices remain open to all qualified aspirants in line with APC guidelines, norms, and democratic values.”
It further added that the zoning understanding reached was part of efforts to promote fairness, inclusion, and political harmony within the constituency, but stressed that it would not apply to the 2027 polls.
The stakeholders urged party members to remain calm and united, reaffirming commitment to delivering victory for the APC at all levels while maintaining internal cohesion.
APC Stakeholders Reject Governor Bago’s Consensus, Open All Seats
