A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has warned President Bola Tinubu that dependence on governors and political elites could undermine his bid for re-election in 2027. Vatsa, a former commissioner for information, culture and Tourism, said the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election demonstrated that many party leaders had lost touch with the electorate and could no longer guarantee votes for the ruling party.
Speaking to journalists in Minna, Vatsa urged the president to change course and reconnect directly with Nigerians rather than relying solely on political structures. He pointed to the heavy deployment of APC governors in Osun, which failed to secure victory, as evidence that those leaders had lost public confidence.
“The entire fuel subsidy money is being shared to the governors who are doing little or nothing with it, and unfortunately Nigerians are putting the blame of the current hardship on the doorstep of President Tinubu,” Vatsa said. He attributed rising public anger to economic hardship, arguing that increased revenues following the removal of fuel subsidies had not translated into meaningful relief for ordinary citizens.
Vatsa said voters were becoming less influenced by political structures, prominent names or elite endorsements, and were instead focused on tangible improvements in their daily lives. “What the people want now is food on their table, jobs for their children, security in their communities, and visible impact from government in their daily lives,” he added.
The APC chieftain also blamed internal divisions within the ruling party for its poor showing in Osun, warning that similar fractures could affect the 2027 general Elections. “There are so many oppositions within the party, and this will also play out in the general elections in 2027,” he said.
Vatsa further cautioned Tinubu against relying on ministers, lawmakers and governors who, he said, had lost the confidence of their constituents. “Many of the elites he is relying on, including ministers, lawmakers and governors, are not working in his best interest,” he noted.
Describing the Osun election as an early warning, Vatsa said hunger, unemployment, insecurity and perceived poor leadership could shape voters’ decisions in 2027. “If, despite the full solidarity of the APC structure in Osun, the governorship result did not favour our party, then the message is crystal clear. It is time for Tinubu to reconnect with the grassroots before the 2027 contest,” he stressed.
