Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
A coalition of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the party’s recently conducted governorship primary election, dismissing allegations by the Tuggar Foundation that no primary was held.
The stakeholders maintained that former Bauchi State Governor, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar (SAN), emerged as the duly elected APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election through a transparent and lawful process.
Their position follows a press conference by the Tuggar Foundation, where its spokesperson, Shehu Barau Ningi, claimed that the party did not conduct a governorship primary in the state.
In a statement jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Mallam Umar Faruk Bala, and Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Dawaki, the stakeholders insisted that the exercise complied fully with the APC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the statement, the primary election was preceded by extensive consultations with party members across Bauchi State’s 20 local government areas before delegates cast their votes in a process witnessed by party officials, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The group described the Tuggar Foundation’s allegations as misleading, alleging that they stemmed from dissatisfaction over the outcome of the primary.
It also questioned the credibility of individuals who addressed the foundation’s press conference, alleging that some of them were no longer active members of the APC.
The stakeholders claimed that Shehu Barau Ningi left the APC in 2019 and had not formally returned to the party, while another critic, Sani Shehu, popularly known as Sanin Malam, was identified as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
They argued that individuals who were no longer members of the APC had no basis to interfere in the party’s internal affairs.
The coalition further urged the Tuggar Foundation to remain faithful to its declared non-partisan status instead of being used to promote factional interests within the party.
Highlighting the credentials of Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, the stakeholders cited his achievements during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2019, including the payment of about ₦20 billion in salary arrears and the construction of more than 1,600 kilometres of roads across the state.
They described him as the most experienced candidate capable of leading Bauchi State and warned the party leadership against any attempt to alter the outcome of the primary election.
According to the group, substituting the declared winner could create internal divisions capable of weakening the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders also compared the contributions of Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, with those of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, commending Prof. Pate for what they described as remarkable improvements in the health sector.
They called on Ambassador Tuggar and his supporters to embrace party unity, urging all aggrieved members to accept the outcome of the primary in the interest of the APC’s success in the 2027 governorship election.
The statement concluded with an appeal for reconciliation among party members, expressing hope that all stakeholders would work together to strengthen the APC ahead of the polls.
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