Jonathan Vatsa, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Niger State Commissioner, has raised alarms that Nigeria could be heading toward chaos before the 2027 general elections. He pointed to the judiciary’s questionable conduct and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) attitude as potential catalysts for this crisis.
Speaking to journalists in Minna following a church service for his 64th birthday, Vatsa emphasized that the nation’s democracy could collapse if these institutions fail to operate without bias. He also predicted that internal conflicts within the APC would explode, overshadowing disputes in any opposition party.
According to Vatsa, the prolonged silence on primary election results—almost two months after the polls—proves that the APC is sitting on a powder keg. He warned, “Once those results emerge, the APC will face its biggest internal war yet.”
He dismissed opposition party crises as “manufactured,” insisting that the APC’s problems are homegrown and far more dangerous. Vatsa held INEC and the judiciary responsible for any political fallout, stating that their partiality could “plunge the country into anarchy and end democratic rule.”
The former publicity secretary accused the party of abandoning real elections during its primaries, claiming that roughly 80% of candidates in Niger State were selected through a consensus forced by the state government. He labeled this “the most significant political fraud since 1999” and argued that such impositions would eventually backfire.
He questioned why some politicians could pursue a sixth term while others seeking a second term were made to step aside, warning that these injustices could lead to anti-party activities. “The anger is simmering beneath the surface because people fear losing their livelihoods, but it’s there,” Vatsa said.
Recalling his role in creating the APC, Vatsa lamented that founding members have been pushed aside by “tenants” who took control after the party assumed power. “We revived a broken vehicle called APC in 2015, but now latecomers occupy the house. I helped build this party; I won’t surrender it to strangers,” he added.