“Protests Erupt Over Governor Bago’s Appointment of Former APC Officials to Niger Electoral Commission”

Protests unfolded on Wednesday following the announcement of the new chairman and commissioners for the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leading the charge against the nominations.

Governor Mohammed Bago’s announcement, made via a bulletin from his Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullbarqy Ebbo, revealed that the newly nominated members were former high-ranking officials from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The appointment of these individuals, including the proposed chairman, Engr Mohammed Jibrin Imam, has sparked intense controversy, particularly from the PDP.

According to the governor’s statement, the nominees are tasked with overseeing the 2027 local government elections in the state, pending confirmation by the state House of Assembly. However, the PDP has vehemently objected to the nominations, claiming that these individuals’ previous affiliations with the APC undermine the neutrality required for overseeing fair elections.

Yahaya Ability, the PDP Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman for Niger North Zone ‘C’, voiced the party’s concerns, stating that the appointment of a former APC state chairman, Imam, was a breach of fairness and democratic principles. He pointed out that Imam had previously been removed and detained by the Niger State police for alleged misappropriation of funds while serving in the APC.

Ability further referenced the appointments made under previous governors, criticizing the current move as a departure from past practices where neutral, non-partisan individuals were chosen to lead the electoral commission. He questioned the fairness of appointing individuals closely tied to the ruling party, alleging that such a composition could lead to the marginalization of opposition parties in the upcoming local elections.

The PDP’s stance was echoed by other party members, including Salihu Abubakar, who claimed that if the appointments were confirmed, it would pave the way for the rigging of the 2027 local government election. Another opposition member, Sule Dauda, warned that the composition of the commission was a step toward a dictatorship and voiced concerns about the potential misuse of power in future elections.

In light of these protests, Ability has called for the immediate reversal of the appointments to restore public trust and ensure a fair electoral process for all parties involved. The opposition parties have urged the Niger State House of Assembly to reject the nomination of the former APC officials to prevent what they describe as an unjust electoral system.