A wave of resignations and sharp anger has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State after the party’s primaries for the 2027 elections. Aggrieved members say there were no real direct primaries — only “selection and imposition” of candidates.
The fallout is fast and messy: mass exits at different party levels, and whispers that several local government chairmen may follow. Senator Shehu Buba Umar already pulled out, accusing planners of trying to manipulate results instead of holding a fair contest.
Political groups have pointed fingers at Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate and former governor Isa Yuguda, saying they backed moves to impose former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar as the APC governorship candidate.
Since the results were announced, various aspirants and stakeholders have formally quit, citing a lack of transparency and breached internal democracy. One is Rabilu Bala Kashuri, the Jama’are/Itas-Gadau federal constituency member, who resigned immediately after losing his re-election bid. In a letter dated May 21, 2026, to the APC chairman of Kashuri Ward he said: “This decision was not made overnight. After careful reflection, I believe it is the right step for me at this time. “
Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, who sought the Katagum federal ticket, also left, accusing the primaries of predetermined results, vote allocation and gross breaches of party rules. In a letter to the Madangala Ward chairman he wrote: “I write to formally notify you of my intention to resign my membership of the party (Membership No. APC 051203000049) in your ward, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows recent developments regarding party activities, particularly the conduct of the 2026 primaries for various elective positions.
After careful observation and review, I am convinced that the process was marred by predetermined results, the outright allocation of votes, and non-compliance with the guidelines for the conduct of said primaries.
“These actions clearly undermine the internal democracy and principles on which the party was founded. Consequently, I request the party to remove my name from its register and records accordingly. I also wish to sincerely thank the party for the opportunities given to me during my time as a member,” Aliyu said.
Traditional ruler and APC chieftain Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, Sarkin Yamman Katagum, also quit, calling the primaries unfair, discriminatory and saying the planned direct primary for the Azare/Madangala State Assembly seat never happened.
