Party says governor cannot seek votes from citizens he has failed to protect
The Niger State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has condemned Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for launching his 2027 re-election campaign while more than 500 residents are reportedly being held captive by bandits.
The party described the governor’s action as insensitive and morally indefensible, insisting that he should prioritise rescuing abducted residents before seeking another political mandate.
In a statement issued in Minna on Friday, the SDP Gubernatorial Campaign Spokesman and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, demanded that Bago suspend his campaign until the victims are released and reunited with their families.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and former APC chieftain, questioned the morality of campaigning while families of abducted residents continue to suffer.
He identified three groups of victims allegedly still in captivity: about 500 worshippers abducted during Friday Jummat prayers in Dakera, Borgu Local Government Area; 16 Islamic students kidnapped in Maikujere, Rafi Local Government Area, on October 30, 2026; and 47 women reportedly abducted from their farms in Mariga Local Government Area.
He said the victims were still languishing in the hands of terrorists.
Vatsa further alleged that about 30 of the worshippers abducted in Dakera had died in captivity, while the remaining victims were still being held.
He also raised concern over the reported ordeal of a girl identified as Aisha from Lavun Local Government Area, who was allegedly kidnapped while returning from Kontagora after collecting her certificate.
According to him, Aisha could be forced into marriage with one of her abductors because her parents could not afford the ransom demanded for her release.
“These are just the reported ones that are in captivity. There are many more that we do not know of across the state, yet the governor is happy to embark on re-election campaign,” he said.
The SDP spokesman maintained that protecting lives and property was the primary responsibility of government, adding that failure to discharge that duty amounted to a serious governance failure.
He also accused Bago of failing to visit communities affected by bandit attacks to sympathise with victims and their families.
Vatsa questioned why the governor was now including some of the troubled communities in his campaign itinerary after allegedly failing to visit them during the attacks.
“When the people needed you as their leader for protection, you were not there for them. The question is, what are you going to tell them?” he asked.
He argued that the governor’s decision to prioritise his re-election ambition while residents remained in captivity showed a lack of concern for their plight.
Beyond insecurity, Vatsa described Thursday’s campaign flag-off as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with the Bago administration.
He alleged that abandoned projects and a lack of visible achievements had weakened the governor’s popularity, insisting that campaign banners could not replace tangible development.
According to him, the governor should allow his achievements in office to speak for him rather than rely on campaign displays across the state.
The SDP urged Bago to address the security crisis and secure the release of abducted residents before asking the people to renew his mandate.