A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has warned that Nigeria could face political unrest ahead of the 2027 general elections if concerns surrounding the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are not addressed.

Speaking to journalists in Minna on Sunday after a thanksgiving service marking his 64th birthday, Vatsa claimed that the crisis brewing within the ruling APC is more serious than those affecting opposition parties and could soon escalate.

The former APC Publicity Secretary in Niger State accused the party of lacking internal democracy, fairness, and transparency during its recent primary elections. He noted that the APC had yet to announce the results of its primaries nearly two months after they were conducted, describing the situation as evidence of deep divisions within the party.

Vatsa also criticised what he described as a “Government House-arranged consensus” in Niger State, alleging that candidates were imposed on party members rather than emerging through a democratic process.

According to him, the perceived injustice could fuel anti-party activities and further deepen the party’s internal crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that while opposition parties are grappling with their own challenges, the APC’s troubles are self-inflicted and could have serious consequences if left unresolved.

The Police Command in Ekiti has arrested 11 suspected political thugs allegedly hired to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Falade Micheal, disclosed this at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

Falade said the command had deployed personnel, including tactical and intelligence units, across the state ahead of the APC House of Representatives primary earlier scheduled for May 15.

According to him, the deployment is to ensure a peaceful, credible and hitch-free exercise.

The police boss said the command received credible intelligence at about 9:00p.m on Thursday that some suspected hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, were sighted at Onikoyi Hotel in Ikun-Ekiti.

He said the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were immediately mobilised to the hotel, leading to the arrest of seven suspects, while others escaped in about three vehicles.

The commissioner of police named the suspects arrested at the hotel as Adekunle Stephen, Adepoju Adebayo, Boluwaji Ishola, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Adewale Makanjuola and Ibitola Babatope.

Falade said exhibits recovered from the suspects included two pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition, four live cartridges, substances suspected to be charms, two Apple laptops and a Honda Accord car.

He added that further operations by the police led to the interception of an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus conveying four additional suspects who had initially escaped from the hotel.

The additional suspects were identified as Abanikanda Sikiru, Dayo Ibijowo, Ajayi Dele and Adegbite Damola.

The commissioner of police disclosed that one pump-action gun was also recovered from the vehicle.

Falade alleged that the suspects confessed during interrogation that they were political thugs hired by a serving member of the House of Representatives to distabilise the APC primary.

He said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and their alleged sponsor.

The police commissioner advised residents to remain law-abiding and avoid acts capable of threatening the peace in the state during the electioneering.

He reiterated the commitment of the command in collaborating with other security agencies to maintaining peace across the state.

Members of the Kaduna Butchers Association, Kabala Branch, have defected from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring support for Gov. Uba Sani.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defectors were received at the campaign office of the governor by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, who also serves as Director-General of the Sen. Uba Sani Support Group.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Suleiman Sale Dan Kabo, said their decision was based on the governor’s developmental strides, inclusive style of governance and commitment to peace in the state.

He noted that recent empowerment programmes and infrastructural projects in Kabala Ward had positively impacted their businesses and livelihoods.

According to him, the presence of government at the grassroots has renewed confidence among residents, particularly small-scale operators.

The group also commended the role of Mamman-Lagos, attributing improvements in the area to his efforts and representation in government.

He added that the defection was a collective decision by members of the association across different political affiliations.

In his remarks, Mamman-Lagos described the defection as a demonstration of growing public confidence in the administration of Gov. Sani.

He reiterated the commitment of the APC-led government to policies and programmes that would improve the welfare of citizens, especially at the grassroots.

The commissioner assured the new members of continued support, and announced a cash empowerment of N200,000 each to 60 members of the association to boost their businesses

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Yobe Chapter, has adopted consensus as a mode of its 2027 primary elections.

Sen. Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) stated this while briefing journalists at the end of the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu on Thursday.

He said consensus would be adopted in the governorship, national assembly and state assembly primary elections.

“Out of the two modes specified by the Electoral Act – consensus and direct primary elections – Yobe APC has picked consensus.

“ And from our previous experience, consensus has always worked for us in this state.

“Any candidate that emerges in any position will receive the support of all in this party, including aspirants who will wish they were the ones picked,” Lawan said.

The stakeholder said the party had internal mechanism of reaching out to aspirants who did not succeed.

He pledged that the party would deliver 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election and more votes for its candidates at the national and state assembly elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders earlier unanimously endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office during the meeting.

Gov Mai Mala Buni said the state had benefitted immensely from the numerous projects, programmes and policies of the central government led by the president.

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has urged executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to remain neutral ahead of the party’s primary elections.

Bago gave the advice on Monday night at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the party in Minna.

He warned aspirants against offering money to party officials, stressing that such an act would be regarded as bribery.

The governor emphasised the importance of consensus in the selection of candidates, noting that it would make the process easier for the party.

He, however, said that where consensus could not be reached, the party would conduct direct primary elections.

According to him, critical stakeholders of the APC from the 25 local government areas of the state will meet to produce consensus candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly within the next two weeks.

Bago also advised stakeholders to respect the zoning arrangement in areas where it already exists, while those without such arrangements should consider adopting them.

He assured aspirants of fairness and urged party members to remain united to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also speaking, Alh. Mu’azu Bawa-Rijau, the APC Vice Chairman, North Central, said the party would ensure fairness by providing a level playing field for all aspirants.

Similarly, the Niger APC Chairman, Alh. Aminu Musa-Bobi, said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to obtain inputs on the mode of primary election to be adopted.

Bobi reassured members of his commitment to the growth and progress of the party in the state.

On his part,  the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris, described the meeting as unprecedented.

He said it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to make meaningful contributions on how the party’s primaries should be conducted.

Idris urged aspirants to accept the outcome of the primaries and work collectively for the party’s success in the general elections.

Other stakeholders from the three senatorial districts who spoke at the meeting also stressed the need for unity and fairness among aspirants and party members.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), National Convention Coordination Committee Sectariat (NCCCS), has declared its readiness to ensure a transparent and credible process ahead of its convention.

Chief Lateef Fagbemi, Chairman of the APC NCCCS, and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of justice made this known during a meeting of the Committee on Thursday in Abuja.

Fagbemi, represented by the Assistant Secretary of the Committee and Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, also promised fair play in the 2027 General Elections.

According to him, the party is tightening its grip on the road to 2027, rolling out a battery of committees and promising a rule-bound, national convention.

He explained that at the heart of the push is a high-powered legal committee tasked with one job: to keep the party on the right side of the law.

“This is a legal committee that is formed with the sole mandate of looking at legal issues to comply with the extant laws of this country.

“That is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and then, of course, other guidelines that may be, from time to time, be issued by the Electoral Body.

“So we felt that, as a party, moving towards convention, this committee has to sit down and look at all those issues,” he explained.

Fagbemi said several committees were formed to look at the issue of legal framework, dispute resolution, documentation, drafting some legal instruments, and so many other things that may be necessary during and after the convention.

He said that as Democrats, APC also decided to look at the issue of inclusivity of all party members.

“So we decided to form a particular committee that will look at all the aspirants and discuss with them to see how we can form a formidable consensus that will scale us through the convention exercise.

“So for us, we are set,” he said.

Fagbemi said the committee was being headed by himself, the Attorney General of the Federation and the former Governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba and many senior advocates of Nigeria.

He added that the committee also included: academicians and other lawyers that have contributed immensely and we have received all the reports of the various committees.

According to him, with that, NCCCS is swinging into action so as to avoid any issue that may arise before, during, and after convention.

Fagbemi said that with the structure on ground, APC is ready for fair play.

He described the party as law-abiding and respectful of democratic principles, aligning its approach with the rule-of-law agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We respect the rule of law, and we remember the President, Bola Tinubu, who is a true democrat keep on saying, and showing by his action, that he is a true democrat.

“He has identified the promotion of the rule of law as one of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration because he gave priority to the rule of law.

“That is why this committee was formed to look at all the interests of all members of the party,” he said.

Highlighting its national outlook, Fagbemi maintained that the party remained open to all Nigerians regardless of region, age, or background, stressing that its growing strength is rooted in inclusivity and internal cohesion.

He said the party would not exclude anybody adding that APC went to the root of the democratic process and of all the concerns and interests of Nigerians.

“You can see how the party is waxing stronger and stronger. It is the largest party in sub-Saharan Africa, or in Africa, if I may say.

“So that is why, we are forming a formidable team that will address all issues, all concerns, so that we will be able to move together as a team that will be able to support our president to build a prosperous Nigeria.”