From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
A coalition of youths and women in Toro local government area of Bauchi State has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing the area to opposition parties if urgent reconciliation, political inclusion, and strategic leadership interventions are not immediately implemented.
The coalition expressed concern that the current political atmosphere within Toro local government area is increasingly characterised by frustration, disappointment, anger, and possible political realignment among party supporters.
Speaking during a press conference in Bauchi on Friday, the leader of the coalition, Safiyanu Muhammad Tama, urged the APC leadership at the national, state, and local government levels to recognise the importance of engaging and supporting Hon. Ibrahim Ali Usman in the party’s political and electoral activities.
According to him, Hon. Ibrahim Ali Usman remains one of the few committed political figures in Toro LGA who has continued to demonstrate loyalty, commitment, and confidence in the APC despite prevailing political challenges.
Tama said Ibrahim Ali Usman enjoys widespread support and admiration among APC youths, women, and grassroots supporters across Toro LGA, warning the party leadership against sidelining or neglecting him politically.
The coalition, while presenting an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC stakeholders, stated that their intervention was not intended to create division within the party but rather to draw attention to what they described as a looming political crisis capable of weakening the APC in Toro LGA.
“We write this letter with utmost sincerity, loyalty, patriotism, and concern for the future of our great party. This is not a rebellion against the APC leadership, but an honest political warning from committed party loyalists who fear that APC may suffer avoidable political setbacks in Toro LGA if urgent intervention is not carried out,” the coalition stated.
The group noted that Toro LGA has historically remained one of the strongest political strongholds of the APC in Bauchi State, with a reputation for massive grassroots mobilisation and consistent electoral support for the party.
According to the coalition, the youths and women of Toro LGA have remained steadfast in defending and promoting the APC through difficult political periods, opposition battles, and demanding campaign activities.
The coalition further stated that Toro LGA is among the local government areas with the highest voting strength in Bauchi State, second only to Bauchi LGA in political relevance and grassroots mobilization capacity.
Despite this contribution, the group lamented what it described as the political abandonment, marginalisation, and neglect of Toro LGA within the APC structure in the state.
The coalition also highlighted the recent political developments involving Senator Shehu Buba and Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman, describing both figures as among the most influential APC stakeholders in Toro LGA.
It said the withdrawal of Senator Shehu Buba from the contest and the denial of the senatorial ticket to Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman had created disappointment, frustration, and uncertainty among party supporters in the area.
“If these growing concerns are not urgently addressed through reconciliation, inclusion, fairness, and proper stakeholder engagement, the APC risks weakening its political strength and unity in Toro LGA,” the coalition warned.
The group added that many loyal supporters were becoming increasingly disillusioned and could be pushed toward alternative political platforms if the crisis is not properly managed.
“As youths who interact daily with grassroots supporters, we understand the growing sentiments among party faithfuls. Silence at this critical moment may amount to political betrayal against the future of APC in Toro LGA,” the coalition stated.
The coalition appealed to the APC National Chairman, the Bauchi State APC leadership, and all relevant stakeholders to urgently initiate reconciliation and strategic political engagement across Toro LGA.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC, the coalition insisted that fairness, inclusion, and political recognition are necessary to sustain the commitment of party supporters in the area.
“APC remains our political home. However, loyalty must be protected with fairness, inclusion, and political recognition,” the group added.
The coalition concluded by warning that continued neglect of Toro LGA and failure to address the current political tension could significantly weaken the APC structure in Bauchi State ahead of future elections.
