A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has resigned from the ruling party after 13 years of membership.
Vatsa conveyed his decision in a letter dated October 18, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Gulu Anguwa-Gulu Vatsa Ward in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.
A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Minna on Sunday.
In the letter, the former commissioner said his decision to leave the party 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.
Vatsa also thanked the party for giving him the opportunity to serve in various capacities during his 13 years as a member.
Vatsa’s political career in Niger
Before the merger that led to the formation of the APC in 2013, Vatsa was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria.
Following the merger, he became the pioneer publicity secretary of the APC in Niger State and played a role in the party’s victory in the 2015 general elections.
In 2015, former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello appointed him Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.
However, Vatsa was dropped from the cabinet during a reshuffle in 2017 and subsequently appointed Coordinator of Public Communication.
In 2023, Governor Umaru Bago appointed him Special Adviser on Public-Private Partnership. He later served as Special Adviser on Media and Communication before reportedly leaving the administration in December.
Vatsa criticises Muslim-Muslim ticket
The former commissioner has remained a vocal critic of the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement at both the presidential and governorship levels ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He has repeatedly called for religious balance in political leadership, arguing that the arrangement could undermine the APC’s electoral prospects in the forthcoming elections.
Vatsa has also opposed the Muslim-Muslim arrangement in Niger State, insisting that political appointments and elective positions should reflect the state’s religious diversity.
His resignation comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, he did not disclose his next political move in the resignation letter.