According to a report by Daily Trust on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has intensified following the party’s primaries, as a wave of resignations and defections continues to hit its ranks.…....
Several prominent politicians who lost out in the party’s nomination process have now abandoned the APC, triggering concerns over internal cohesion ahead of future elections.
Leading the latest wave of defections is Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District. He has formally exited the APC and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after withdrawing from the party’s governorship primary, which he said was marred by irregularities.
Similarly, Senator Samaila Kaila Dahuwa, who represents Bauchi North Senatorial District, has also left the APC after failing to secure a return ticket. He has likewise moved to the PRP.
In his resignation, Senator Buba Umar attributed his departure to what he described as weak internal democracy, unfair treatment of members, and increasing marginalisation of grassroots voices within the party structure. He said the decision followed consultations with political allies, youth and women groups, and stakeholders across Bauchi South and the wider state.
He added that the PRP offered a more inclusive political platform built on accountability, fairness, and people-focused leadership. According to him, his move was aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring better representation for constituents.
“Our people deserve leadership that is responsive and committed to development. Politics must be about service, fairness, and improving the welfare of citizens,” he said, while urging his supporters to join him in his new political platform.
The defections have also spread to the House of Representatives, where Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri, who represents Jama’are/Itas-Gadau federal constituency, resigned from the APC after failing to secure a return ticket. His resignation was submitted to the party leadership in his ward.
Also among the defectors is former Deputy Governorship candidate and ex-member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa. He resigned from the APC after contesting for the Bauchi South Senatorial ticket without success, citing poor leadership structure and lack of unity within the party.
In another development, former Majority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and aspirant for Katagum Federal Constituency, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, also left the APC. In his resignation letter, he accused the party’s primaries of lacking transparency, alleging that outcomes were predetermined and not in line with established guidelines.
He stated that the process did not reflect the principles of internal democracy the party was founded upon.
Similarly, Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, known by his traditional title Sarkin Yamman Katagum, announced his exit from the APC, describing the primaries as unfair and inconsistent with democratic standards. He also alleged that direct primaries were not conducted in his constituency as earlier promised.
Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye, an aspirant for the Bauchi State House of Assembly, also resigned from the party, citing repeated injustice and unresolved internal disputes. In his letter, he said he could no longer remain in a system he believed was marked by irregularities and exclusion.
Another party member, Hon. Rabi’u Abubakar Bishi, also stepped down from the APC, citing internal disagreements and dissatisfaction with the conduct of party affairs.
Across the state, several aggrieved members have continued to voice concerns over the outcome of the primaries, alleging that candidates were imposed rather than selected through transparent electoral processes.
