The crisis rocking the Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Thursday as five aggrieved senatorial aspirants from the Niger South Senatorial District rejected Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s reconciliation efforts and headed to court to challenge the outcome of the party’s primary election.
The aspirants—Engr. Adamu Alfa Abu, Senator Peter Ndalikali Jiya, Senator Bima Muhammad Enagi, former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, and Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed (SAN)—said they had resolved to seek judicial intervention over what they described as irregularities that marred the party’s primary process.
Their decision comes despite a series of reconciliation meetings convened by Governor Bago at the Government House in Minna to pacify aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders following the controversial primaries and consensus arrangements.
In a joint statement, the aspirants announced that they were distancing themselves from the reconciliation initiative, insisting that only legal action could address their grievances.
They said they had resolved to pursue “every lawful and constitutional avenue” to seek redress over issues arising from what they described as the purported direct primary election.
According to the aspirants, their decision should not be interpreted as an act of rebellion against the APC but rather as a commitment to strengthening internal democracy, promoting fairness and preserving members’ confidence in the party’s democratic processes.
“We firmly believe that justice pursued through due process strengthens our democracy and preserves the integrity of our institutions,” the statement read.
The aspirants maintained that seeking justice in accordance with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution should not be mistaken for weakness, adding that they reserved the right to explore other lawful options if justice was not achieved.
They appealed to their supporters, particularly youths and women across the Niger South Senatorial District, to remain peaceful and law-abiding, urging them not to resort to violence or actions capable of disrupting public order.
The group also expressed appreciation to party members, traditional rulers, community leaders and supporters for what they described as their patience and unwavering commitment, especially those who turned out for what they claimed was a scheduled direct primary election that never took place.
They reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the APC Constitution and the party’s guidelines for conducting primary elections, expressing confidence that truth, justice and fairness would ultimately prevail.
Reacting to the development, the Niger State APC Publicity Secretary, Mallam Musa Sarkinkaji, said the party had not been notified of any legal action.
“To be honest with you, I am not aware of any court case by any aspirant or group of aspirants. The party has not been served,” Sarkinkaji said.
The development signals a fresh twist in the post-primary crisis within the ruling party in Niger State, with the legal challenge threatening efforts to unite the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.