Coalition Condemns Alleged Manipulation of APC Primary in Niger South Senatorial District, Threatens Mass Resistance

The Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations has raised alarm over what it described as a dangerous assault on democracy in Niger State, following widespread allegations of manipulation and political imposition during the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election for the Niger South Senatorial District.

In a statement delivered at a press conference in Abuja, the Deputy National Secretary of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, said the coalition is deeply alarmed, disappointed, and outraged by reports that the primary election was characterised by suppression of internal democracy, abuse of state power, and a carefully supervised political charade designed to impose predetermined outcomes on party members.

Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince said what transpired in Niger State cannot be described as democracy or a transparent political process, nor can it pass as a credible party primary by the most basic democratic standards. He noted that reports from aggrieved aspirants, stakeholders, delegates, and party faithful indicate that lawful delegates and party members were denied participation, accreditation processes were manipulated, voting procedures compromised, and results written from Government House were announced without transparency and without the presence of INEC officials.

The coalition stated that it is unacceptable for a state governor to preside over a political environment where internal party processes are reduced to mere formalities while outcomes are dictated by political loyalty and personal interests. Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince further noted that the painful question now dominating political conversations in Niger State is, “Is your candidate the governor’s friend?” He said that statement alone captures the depth of frustration, exclusion, and hopelessness created by the collapse of internal democracy within the ruling party structure in the state.

The Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations demanded the immediate intervention of the national leadership of the APC, relevant democratic institutions, and all authorities responsible for safeguarding political accountability in Nigeria. Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince also demanded an urgent and independent investigation into the serious allegations of interference and abuse of political influence linked to the Niger State Government, as well as the immediate cancellation and nullification of the purported primary election. He further demanded the conduct of a fresh, credible, transparent, and inclusive primary election conducted strictly in line with the Electoral Act, the APC constitution, and established democratic procedures.

The coalition warned that continued suppression of internal democracy within political parties will produce deeper political divisions, endless litigations, voter apathy, and avoidable instability. Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince said no political party can successfully preach democracy to Nigerians while allegedly destroying democracy within its own internal structures.

The Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, democratic institutions, civil society organisations, and all patriotic Nigerians to rise in defence of democracy before political impunity becomes fully institutionalised in Niger State. The coalition also called on security agencies to remain neutral and committed to protecting the democratic rights of citizens.

Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince urged the people of Niger State, especially party supporters, youths, women, delegates, and stakeholders, to remain peaceful, law-abiding, vigilant, and steadfast in the pursuit of justice through lawful and democratic means. He stated that the struggle for democracy has never been easy, but truth, justice, and the collective will of the people will always prevail over political oppression and manipulation.

The coalition further declared that failure by Governor Umaru Muhammad Bago and the APC leadership to conduct a credible, transparent, and lawful primary election will leave Nigerians with no option but to democratically resist this assault on internal democracy through lawful mass civic action. Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince disclosed that the coalition is already consulting widely and mobilising across the country for what may become one of the largest peaceful civil resistance movements in recent political history, including a proposed ten-million-man solidarity march to compel the Niger State Government and the APC leadership to respect democratic principles.

The Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations placed allied civil society organisations, pro-democracy groups, faith-based organisations, youth movements, labour groups, non-governmental organisations, community stakeholders, and defenders of democratic accountability on notice to begin necessary consultations and preparations for sustained lawful civic engagements and coordinated mass actions across Niger South Senatorial District and the Niger State capital should the authorities continue to ignore the demands for justice, fairness, and credible democratic processes. Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince concluded that the era where political leaders treat democratic institutions as personal property must come to an end, adding that democracy belongs to the people, and the people reserve the constitutional right to peacefully demand accountability whenever democratic values are threatened.