From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi
The Campaign Organisation of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has petitioned the APC National Chairman to challenge the emergence of the former Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakar as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2O27 election in Bauchi State.
The Organisation said that there was no primary election in the state; hence, Abubakar should stop parading himself as the governorship candidate of the party, saying there has never been a time the party announced him as the flag-bearer.
They argued that the lack of official party confirmation, coupled with widespread discontent and potential electoral losses, necessitates an immediate review of the decision in favor of equity and power rotation.
Speaking in Bauchi on Tuesday, former Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Shehu Barau Ningi, declared that no governorship primary election took place anywhere in Bauchi State, pointing out that declaring a winner for an election that never happened is a direct violation of the party’s constitution and lacks any legitimate basis.
Ningi, who was flanked by Alhaji Sule Wada, Alhaji Sani Shehu, former Bauchi State Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and other stakeholders, the Foundation revealed it has submitted a formal letter of appeal to the APC National Chairman, dated June 2, 2026, demanding the immediate reversal of Abubakar’s self-proclamation.
The Foundation warned that the party’s current silence on the matter is creating a dangerous impression of tacit endorsement, which has already triggered a massive wave of defections and widespread anger among grassroots.
“Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has no record of defection to any other political party. He was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives in 2007 under the platform of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), later emerged as the Governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and was among the Architects and founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since the formation of the party, he has remained consistent, active, and loyal to its ideals and leadership up to the present moment”.
“On the contrary, M.A. Abubakar joined the party (APC) only 52 days before the 2014 primary elections of the party. Moreover, following his defeat as an incumbent Governor in 2019, he virtually abandoned the party.
Consequently, he did not even participate in the party primaries for the 2023 General Election.
“He limited his involvement in party activities only to showing his presence at important occasions. We therefore humbly submit that party loyalty, sacrifice and consistency should be given appropriate recognition and consideration in taking decisions of this magnitude,” he said.
