APC Primaries Trigger Wave of Resignations in Bauchi Over Alleged Imposition Claims
By Aboh Chijioke Jerry
E-ISSN:2354-4481
A wave of resignations and internal discontent has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State following the party’s recent primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Several party members have alleged that the primaries were not conducted through a direct electoral process, but rather through what they described as the selection and imposition of candidates.
The growing dissatisfaction has reportedly led to mass resignations across various levels of the party structure, with indications that additional local government officials may also be considering departure in the coming days.
Tensions escalated further after a prominent governorship aspirant, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, withdrew from the race, alleging attempts to manipulate the outcome of the primaries in favour of predetermined candidates.
Some political stakeholders and interest groups have also raised concerns, alleging that certain influential figures, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, supported efforts to impose former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar as the party’s governorship candidate. These claims, however, remain unverified.
Following the release of the primary results, several aspirants and party stakeholders formally resigned from the APC, citing concerns over a lack of transparency and alleged breaches of internal democratic processes.
Among those who resigned is the member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rabilu Bala Kashuri, who announced his immediate departure from the party.
In his resignation letter dated May 21, 2026, and addressed to the APC Ward Chairman in Kashuri Ward, Itas/Gadau LGA, Kashuri described his decision as the outcome of careful reflection, expressing appreciation to the party and his constituents for their support during his political journey.
He stated that his time in the APC had provided him with valuable experience and relationships, which he said he would continue to appreciate despite his exit from the party.
Similarly, an aspirant for the Katagum Federal Constituency, Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, also resigned from the APC, alleging that the primaries were characterised by predetermined outcomes, vote allocation, and violations of established party guidelines.
Aliyu argued that the conduct of the exercise undermined the principles of internal democracy and fairness upon which the party was founded.
In a letter addressed to the APC Ward Chairman in Madangala Ward, Katagum LGA, he formally notified the party of his immediate resignation and requested that his name be removed from the party’s records.
He further expressed appreciation for the opportunities he received while being a member of the party.
In a related development, another party chieftain, Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yamman Katagum, also announced his withdrawal from the APC, describing the primaries as unfair and inconsistent with democratic principles.
He specifically alleged that the party failed to conduct the scheduled direct primary election for the Azare/Madangala State Assembly constituency, further deepening concerns over the credibility of the process.
