By Nasir Shuaibu
Fresh resignations by prominent politicians have intensified the debate over internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, with former aspirants and party chieftains accusing the leadership of injustice and alleged imposition of candidates.
The latest to leave the party are former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh; former two-time APC governorship aspirant, Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin; and Hon. Sunusi Aliyu Kunde.
Their resignations came months after the party conducted its primaries for the 2027 elections and amid efforts to reconcile aggrieved members.
Jibrin, in particular, blamed his decision on what he called “brazen injustice” and the alleged imposition of candidates without regard to the views of party members and constituents.
In a resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Nasarawa/Bakin Kasuwa Ward in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, he said he had withdrawn his support for the party with immediate effect.
He said consultations with his supporters, friends and associates convinced him that leaving the APC was “the best option in the circumstances.”
Jibrin had been one of the vocal critics of the emergence of former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
Before the primary, he had alleged that the process was being manipulated to favour a particular aspirant and warned party stakeholders against what he described as an attempt to “short-change” Bauchi people.
The Bauchi Progressives Forum subsequently rejected the outcome of the governorship primary, alleging that no election took place across the state.
Its chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the announced results as “fictitious” and alleged that aspirants were pressured to withdraw in favour of Abubakar.
The allegations have been disputed by supporters of the party, who maintain that the APC remains a strong political platform in Bauchi.
Other aspirants and stakeholders have also left the APC following disagreements over the primaries.
Among them is Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri, member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who resigned in May 2026.
Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, an aspirant for Katagum Federal Constituency, also resigned, alleging predetermined results, vote allocation and violations of party guidelines.
Another chieftain, Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, the Sarkin Yamman Katagum, withdrew his membership after alleging that the planned direct primary for the Azare/Madangala State Assembly constituency was not conducted.
Meanwhile, Saleh, who served as deputy governor during the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda, resigned in a letter dated August 19, citing personal reasons.
Kunde also resigned in August, expressing sadness over his departure after years of political association with the party.
The latest departures have renewed calls for intervention by the APC national leadership.
Some aggrieved members have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and other national leaders to create a platform for dialogue and address the grievances of party members.
The development is coming at a time when the Bauchi APC is also announcing new entrants. The party recently claimed that thousands of members had defected to its fold under the leadership of Faruk Mustapha.
However, the absence of several prominent stakeholders from the reception, including Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nura Manu Soro, Bala Maijama’a Wunti, Isa Yuguda and Yakubu Dogara, has further fuelled speculation about the state of unity within the party.
Political analysts say the APC faces a dual challenge: expanding its membership base while addressing grievances among influential stakeholders.
They warned that unless the party resolves its internal disagreements, the reported influx of new members may not automatically translate into electoral gains in 2027.
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