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A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State and Managing Director of Nupe Property Consultants Limited, Hon. Alfa Nma, has declared that he is set to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2027, citing a longstanding failure of leadership and representation in his constituency.

In an exclusive interview with select journalists in his office, Hon. Nma, who also serves as the National President of the North Central Youth Leaders Forum and a former Labour Party chairman in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), decried the underdevelopment in his constituency, particularly in agricultural value chains, water infrastructure, and youth employment.

He traced his return from the Labour Party to the PDP to the party’s lack of political presence in Niger State, saying, “I moved to PDP at that time because the Labour Party was not on ground in Niger state… and today I’m a bonafide member of PDP in my state.”

Expressing his readiness to contest for a House of Representatives seat, Nma said his ambition was not borne out of desperation for power but a moral obligation to correct years of failed representation.

“For over 25 years I’ve been following the terrain of leadership in my state, and I looked at it that if people like us do not come out to fight for this kind of position… it will be very disastrous,” he said. “I have never seen any good representation in my constituency.”

Hon. Nma lamented that despite the agricultural potential of his community, particularly in cassava and groundnut oil production, there are no local processing facilities to support farmers and create jobs. He criticized current and past lawmakers for prioritizing solar street lights over lasting economic and infrastructural solutions like potable water systems.

“I remember when I was growing up in my own place, we used to have flowing water with fragrance. But nowadays, it’s just borehole everywhere,” he said. “People should understand the long-term effect of these boreholes.”

Speaking on PDP’s current standing in Niger State, Nma insisted that despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) being in power, Niger remains a PDP stronghold.

“When you look at the history of the state, you would agree with me that Niger State is a PDP state. The APC took over due to the relaxation of our leaders,” he stated, alleging electoral manipulation in areas declared insecure during the last elections. “Results were submitted from those areas. PDP agents were not there.”

On the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level, Nma downplayed concerns, arguing that the party remains intact despite internal wrangling.

“Anybody that tells you that our party cannot stand for elections come 2027 is a joker. The only problem we have in PDP is the selfishness of some of our leaders at the top,” he declared. “But the party is bigger than any individual.”

He attributed recent defections to the APC to personal survival strategies, not ideological alignment.

“Anybody you see moving to APC either has an EFCC case or has been promised a 2027 ticket. It’s not because of the people,” he claimed. “Remember Adams Oshiomhole said the moment you come to APC, your sins are forgiven.”

Turning to national politics, Hon. Nma delivered a scathing assessment of the Tinubu-led administration, accusing it of stifling civil liberties and presiding over worsening poverty.

“There is hunger everywhere,” he said. “During Buhari’s time, we were able to stage protests. But today, nobody dares protest against bad governance. If you do, you risk arrest or death.”

He contended that democracy has been compromised, describing the present government as “a government of the rich, by the elders and the security agencies.”

On the rising opposition momentum and the possibility of a grand coalition ahead of 2027, Nma welcomed the idea but stressed the need for a structured approach.

“If tomorrow the PDP tells us to move to the coalition, we will move. But for now, we are bona fide members of the PDP,” he said. He emphasized that only a united opposition could realistically defeat President Tinubu in the next election.

“All political parties must leave their ego. Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and others must come together. Otherwise, I don’t see any way any of them can do the magic to defeat Tinubu alone,” Nma said.

As the 2027 general elections approach, Hon. Alfa Nma’s bold entry into the race and strong political rhetoric signal a fierce battle ahead in Niger State and beyond. With his grassroots influence, business acumen, and unflinching criticism of the status quo, he may well be a candidate to watch in the months to come.

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