APC Chieftain Jonathan Vatsa Quits Party, Warns Against Same-Faith Ticket

By Daniel Ebi, Minna

A former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after years of service in the ruling party, amid his longstanding opposition to same-faith political tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Vatsa, a pioneer member of the APC in Niger State, announced his resignation in a letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Gulu Anguwa-Gulu Vatsa Ward in Lapai Local Government Area.

In the letter, made available to journalists in Minna on Sunday, the former party spokesman said his decision to leave the APC was personal and followed consultations with his family, friends and political associates.

“I write to inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger State, with effect from Monday, 19th October, 2026,” he stated.

He added that the decision to relinquish his membership of the party was taken after due consultation with those close to him.

The former commissioner, however, expressed appreciation to the APC for providing him with a platform to serve the party and the state in various capacities during his 13-year association with it.

Vatsa joined the APC from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the party’s merger in 2014 and subsequently became its pioneer State Publicity Secretary in Niger State.

He played a role in the party’s activities ahead of the 2015 general elections, which brought the APC to power at the state and federal levels.

Following the party’s electoral victory in Niger State, former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello appointed him Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in 2015.

He was later redeployed as Coordinator of Public Communication in 2017 following a cabinet reshuffle.

Under Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s administration, Vatsa was appointed Special Adviser on Public-Private Partnership in 2023 before serving as Special Adviser on Media and Communication. He left the governor’s cabinet in December 2025.

Beyond his resignation, Vatsa has consistently opposed the adoption of same-faith tickets at the national and state levels, arguing that political arrangements should reflect religious balance and equity.

His position has become particularly relevant as political parties and aspirants begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The former commissioner has warned that a Muslim-Muslim ticket could undermine the APC’s electoral prospects, particularly in a politically sensitive state such as Niger, where questions of representation and inclusion remain part of political debate.

His opposition to the arrangement has also put him at odds with indications that Governor Bago may retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 governorship election.

Vatsa had maintained that political appointments and elective positions should reflect fairness, balance and equity, rather than leaving sections of the population feeling excluded.

Although he described his resignation as a personal decision in his letter, his longstanding criticism of same-faith tickets has drawn attention to the political differences surrounding the issue ahead of the next electoral cycle.

His departure comes at a time when the APC and other political parties are positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, with questions of candidate selection, religious representation and political inclusion expected to feature prominently in the campaigns.