Niger APC Skips Direct Primaries

Niger APC Skips Direct Primaries

The All Progressives Congress in Niger State has adopted eight serving House of Representatives members as consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The decision followed separate stakeholders’ meetings held across the ten federal constituencies in the state. Party leaders reportedly agreed to avoid direct primaries for most of the seats.

Sources at the meetings in Government House, Minna, said Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago persuaded other aspirants to withdraw from the race.

Some aspirants were allegedly promised political appointments in exchange for stepping aside. Party leaders were said to have backed the arrangement to reduce possible disputes after the primaries.

The decision reportedly followed advice from influential APC figures at the national level who wanted serving lawmakers to seek another term without internal conflict.

As a result, direct primaries for House of Representatives tickets did not take place in constituencies where consensus had already been reached.

Discussions were still ongoing in some areas, including Edati Lavun Mokwa and Chanchaga federal constituencies, where serving lawmakers belong to the PDP.

Party leaders were said to be working towards similar consensus arrangements in those constituencies. The APC is continuing internal negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections.