Yemi Obafemi
A former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, has said the outcome of the Osun State governorship election should serve as a warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Vatsa, said the result showed that the party’s political structures and support from governors may not be enough to guarantee electoral victory.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the approach of his administration, reconnect with Nigerians and prioritise issues affecting 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 the government in their daily lives,” Vatsa said.
The APC chieftain made the remarks in a statement issued in Minna, Niger State, where he expressed concern over the growing economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
According to Vatsa, the current political environment requires the government and the APC to pay greater attention to the grassroots rather than relying heavily on established political structures.
He said the Osun election demonstrated that voters were increasingly willing to make independent choices and protect their votes.
“The people are wiser now; they are stronger in their decision, they are determined to resist intimidation and ready to vote according to their conscience. The President should take note of this paradigm shift,” Vatsa said.
Vatsa also raised concerns over the use of funds accruing to state governments following the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the resources should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“I must say that the people of Osun State have spoken the mind of Nigerians with the way they voted during the election. Nigerians are not happy because of the hardship despite the excess money in the country,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as an overreliance on political elites, including governors, ministers and lawmakers, warning that those who have lost touch with voters could become a liability to the APC in 2027.
“Mr. President should know by now that many of the elites he is relying on, including ministers, lawmakers and governors, are not working in his best interest,” Vatsa alleged.
He also pointed to internal divisions within the APC as another challenge that could affect the party during the next general election.
“There are so many oppositions within the party, and this will also play out in the general elections in 2027,” he said.
Vatsa argued that the Osun result was particularly significant because of the level of support mobilised for the APC during the election.
“For the number of APC governors that gathered in Osun, and for them to come back empty-handed, it is an indication that they have lost the confidence of the people,” he said.
He urged state governors to channel available resources towards projects and policies that directly improve citizens’ welfare, rather than allowing poverty and unemployment to persist.
Vatsa said the President still had an opportunity to change course before 2027, urging the administration to ensure that Nigerians directly experience the benefits of its economic policies.
“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.
“The masses have spoken, and it is because of hunger and economic hardship in the country, unemployment, and the arrogance and greed of some political elites, especially the governors,” he said.
