From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
The League of APC Support Groups in Bauchi State has called on former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, to accept what it described as “The will of Allah and the will of the people” by recognising the emergence of former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (SAN) as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.
The group made the call while reacting to a recent press conference organised by the Tuggar Foundation, led by Shehu Barau Ningi, which rejected Abubakar’s emergence and alleged that no valid APC governorship primary election was conducted in the state.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, the chairman of the League, Malam Umar Faruk Bala, popularly known as Sufi, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the party’s governorship primary was conducted in line with the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).
“While we respect the right of every party member to freedom of expression, it has become necessary to correct the falsehoods, misinformation and attempts to mislead the public contained in that briefing,” he said.
According to him, party stakeholders and delegates from across the 20 local government areas participated in extensive consultations and the primary election, which culminated in the emergence of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar as the APC governorship candidate.
He maintained that the exercise was transparent, with party officials, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders monitoring the process.
“The victory was not manufactured or manipulated. It reflected the clear choice of party delegates and the democratic wishes of APC members in Bauchi State,” he said.
The group described claims that no primary election was held as “baseless,” arguing that the results had already been collated and submitted to the appropriate party organs at both the state and national levels.
It also criticised individuals who addressed the Tuggar Foundation’s press conference, alleging that some of them were no longer active members of the APC.
The League urged aggrieved party members to embrace reconciliation, stressing that politics requires compromise, unity and respect for democratic outcomes.
“It is time to put personal grievances aside, congratulate the winner and work together for the success of the APC in the 2027 elections,” Sufi stated.
The group further cautioned against any attempt to alter the outcome of the primary election, warning that such a move could deepen internal divisions within the party ahead of the general election.
It described Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar as an experienced leader with a proven record in governance, citing projects executed during his administration between 2015 and 2019 in road infrastructure, education, healthcare and the settlement of salary and pension arrears.
The League also praised the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for what it described as his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s health sector, urging political actors to avoid dragging him into partisan disputes.
It called on Ambassador Tuggar and his supporters to accept the outcome of the primary, unite behind the APC candidate and work for the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.
“We extend a hand of fellowship to Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and his supporters. Let us come together in the interest of the APC and the development of Bauchi State,” the group said.
