Former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and ex-chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside more than 200 supporters, barely two weeks after resigning from the ruling party.
Vatsa formally joined the SDP on Wednesday at his Gulu Anguwa-Gulu Vatsa ward in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, where he was presented with a party membership card bearing number N10120100001 by the ward chairman, Adamu Mohammed Baba.
His defection ends speculations about his next political move following his resignation from the APC, during which he accused the ruling party of betraying the trust and confidence of Nigerians.
At a well-attended ceremony, the former APC publicity secretary in Niger State also announced the defection of more than 200 supporters from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the SDP.
The defectors were drawn from five wards in the Azza area, namely Evuti Pada, Ebbo Gbacheko, Muye Egba, Gupa Abuge and Gulu-Anguwa Gulu Vatsa.
Some of the supporters described Vatsa’s departure from the APC as long overdue, accusing the ruling party of failing to address the country’s economic challenges. They said their decision to join the SDP was informed by their confidence in Vatsa’s leadership and his practice of carrying them along in political decisions.
Presenting the membership card, the SDP ward chairman described Vatsa as a “big fish” whose political experience and contributions to the development of the area would strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The decision you have taken today to leave the APC is long overdue. It is a welcome development because the party has failed Nigerians.
“The party has further pushed Nigerians below the poverty line. People are merely struggling to survive, and that is why Nigerians must vote them out in 2027,” he said.
The ward chairman expressed confidence that Vatsa’s grassroots political experience would help position the SDP to take over power in Niger State in 2027.
He added that the party was looking forward to Vatsa providing the leadership and direction needed to strengthen its presence across the state.
Also speaking, the SDP ward youth leader, Mallam Said Mohammed, assured Vatsa that he would not regret joining the party, describing it as one of Nigeria’s longstanding political parties with structures that could be strengthened through the involvement of experienced politicians.
Addressing party members and supporters, Vatsa said his decision to join the SDP was informed by his confidence in the party’s governorship candidate in Niger State, Mohammed Ndarani (SAN).
According to him, Ndarani has the capacity to provide credible leadership and move the state forward, citing his record of achievements as evidence of his suitability for the position.
Vatsa also alleged that the APC-led administration in Niger State was the worst since the return to democratic rule in 1999, alleging that it had failed to demonstrate sufficient results despite the substantial resources available to the government.
He maintained that he had consistently criticised the administration’s handling of public affairs while he was still a member of the APC, particularly what he described as the mismanagement of public funds.
“This is a government that has enormous resources from the Federation Account, including loans, yet you cannot point to a single project worth ₦5 billion that has been completed,” he alleged.
The former commissioner urged residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and use them to vote against the APC in the 2027 elections.
He further argued that political parties derive their strength from their members, insisting that the defection of his supporters would help expand the SDP’s influence in Niger State.
“Political parties do not make people; rather, the people make political parties. With the support of all of you who have decided to move along with me to the SDP today, the party will soon stamp its authority in the state, and we will take over the government in 2027,” Vatsa said.
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