A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has cautioned against what he described as attempts to weaken opposition parties and impose candidates on Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, said such political practices could undermine democracy and create tension in the country.
Speaking with journalists in Minna on Wednesday, he criticised what he called “anti-people arrangements” within political parties, particularly consensus processes that reduce internal competition.
He insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders through a transparent electoral process, stressing that “non-performing politicians must be voted out at all levels.”
According to him, any move to stifle opposition parties or push Nigeria toward a one-party system would be dangerous for democracy.
“When you strangulate opposition parties to create a one-party state, you are inviting serious anarchy. Nigerians will resist it because a one-party system is not in our constitution,” he said.
Vatsa warned that Nigeria’s democracy, achieved after years of struggle, should not be eroded by actions that resemble dictatorship, even under civilian rule.
He stressed that opposition parties remain a vital part of democratic governance and must not be weakened for political advantage.
“Nigerians fought military dictatorship to earn this democracy. We should not end up with civilian dictatorship. If we have not performed well, we should appeal to Nigerians for another chance instead of manipulating the process,” he said.
The APC chieftain also said the ruling party must reflect on its internal challenges, adding that some wrong political decisions had contributed to public dissatisfaction.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s economic strength, many citizens were still experiencing hardship, warning that rising poverty could deepen public anger.
Vatsa further cautioned politicians who support the suppression of opposition voices, saying they may regret it in the future.
He urged respect for democratic institutions and fairness in the political process, adding that inclusive politics remains key to national stability.
Vatsa warns APC against weakening opposition, urges fair elections
