Politics

Mass Defection Hits Bauchi APC as Senators, Reps, Aspirants Dump Ruling Party

Published

2 months ago

May 26, 2026

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Mass Defection Hits Bauchi APC as Senators, Reps, Aspirants Dump Ruling Party

The aftermath of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Bauchi State has sparked growing discontent, leading to the mass defection of both prominent chieftains and their supporters across the state, with two serving senators, a House of Representatives member, former Inspector General of Police, and scores of aspirants resigning from the ruling party. Lawmaker representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, has resigned from the APC and declared his membership of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). This comes days after his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary election, citing irregularities and violations of electoral guidelines. Also, the Senator representing Bauchi North, Samaila Kaila Dahuwa, has resigned from the APC after losing his return ticket, joining the PRP.

Buba cited the “absence of internal democracy, lack of fairness, marginalisation of genuine party members, and increasing disregard for the opinions and aspirations of grassroots supporters within the APC.” He said his decision to join the PRP came after extensive consultations with political associates, youths, women groups, party stakeholders, and supporters across Bauchi South Senatorial District and Bauchi State at large. Buba said the PRP remains a political platform built on the principles of justice, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and people-oriented leadership, with strong commitment to the democratic values enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Buba explained that his movement to the PRP is aimed at strengthening democratic governance, protecting the interests of the common people, and providing effective and responsive representation for the citizens.

“Our people deserve better governance, better opportunities, and leadership that truly listens to their concerns. Politics should be about service to humanity, justice, development, and improving the living conditions of the masses,” Buba said. The Senator urged his supporters and political allies to join him in the PRP to continue the “collective struggle” for good governance, social justice, accountability, and sustainable development across Bauchi State. Barely 24 hours after parting ways with the APC, Buba clinched the PRP governorship ticket, with the PRP Deputy National Vice Chairman (North), Haruna Buhari, announcing him as the party’s sole cleared aspirant for the ticket.

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However, Buba’s defection and swift emergence as the PRP governorship candidate have not gone unchallenged. A Bauchi governorship aspirant on the PRP platform, Barrister Safiyanu Garba Idris, has questioned the eligibility and political status of Senator Shehu Buba following his recent defection from the APC. Addressing newsmen on Monday in Bauchi, Idris alleged that Buba remained actively involved in APC activities even after publicly announcing his resignation from the ruling party. According to him, the senator attended meetings of the APC after the date he reportedly claimed to have defected to the PRP. “Somebody who said he left the APC was still participating in APC meetings and activities,” he alleged. The aspirant further questioned how Buba emerged as the sole governorship candidate of the PRP shortly after withdrawing from the APC governorship contest, arguing that the development raised constitutional and procedural concerns regarding party membership and eligibility. Idris also accused some officials within the PRP of manipulating internal processes to favour selected individuals ahead of the 2027 governorship election. According to him, the situation could deepen internal divisions within the party if not properly addressed.

Among those who departed is the incumbent member representing the Jama’are/Itas-Gadau federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri, who announced his resignation with immediate effect. Kashuri, who sought reelection ticket but was unsuccessful, tendered his resignation from the ruling party in a letter addressed to the APC Chairman of Kashuri Ward in the Itas/Gadau Local Government Area. Similarly, the 2023 deputy governorship candidate and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa, also resigned from the APC. Musa, who contested the APC ticket for the Bauchi South Senatorial District, cited “lack of purposeful leadership, unfair treatment of party members and lack of cohesion among leaders of the party.” Since the announcement of the results of the APC gubernatorial primaries, several aspirants and stakeholders have resigned from the APC, citing a lack of transparency and violations of internal democracy.

In a related development, former majority leader of Bauchi House of Assembly and aspirant for the Katagum Federal Constituency, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, resigned from the party, alleging that the primaries were marred by predetermined results, vote allocation, and gross violations of party guidelines. According to him, the exercise undermined the principles of internal democracy upon which the APC was founded. In a letter addressed to the Ward Chairman of the APC in Madangala Ward, Katagum Local Government Area, 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.”

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Another chieftain, Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yamman Katagum, also withdrew his membership from the party. He described the primaries as unfair, discriminatory, and contrary to democratic ethics. He alleged that the APC failed to conduct the planned direct primary election for the Azare/Madangala State Assembly constituency. Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye, an aspirant who sought to represent the Bauchi Constituency in the State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the APC. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the APC in Makama/Sarkin Baki Ward, Bauchi Local Government Area, dated May 22, 2026, Lalaye stated that although he had been a member of the party since its formation, he decided to leave due to persistent irregularities and injustice within the organization. He formally notified the party of his decision to withdraw his candidacy for the State House of Assembly on the APC platform. Hon. Rabi’u Abubakar Bishi announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC Chairman of the Kangere/Turum Ward. “I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the All Progressives Congress. I have taken this step due to internal crises and injustice, among other issues, which I can no longer bear. This resignation will enable me to remain committed to my principles of fighting for good governance in our state,” Bishi said. Many aggrieved members alleged that no direct primaries were conducted in the state, insisting that candidates were merely handpicked through what they described as “selection and imposition.”

The crisis has been further inflamed by the outright rejection of the APC governorship primary results by the Bauchi Progressives Forum. The group has rejected the results announced by the Chairman of the Committee for the APC Governorship Primaries in Bauchi State, insisting that no election was conducted and that aspirants were instead pressured to step down. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, the group described the figures announced by the Primaries Committee as fictitious and an insult to the people of Bauchi State.

“There was no governorship primary election in Bauchi State. Let us not attempt to deceive Nigerians. The aspirants were invited by certain individuals and asked to step down for former Governor Muhammad Abubakar. They reluctantly agreed because they were not given the opportunity of a credible direct primary,” the statement said. “It is distasteful for the Chairman of the Primaries Committee to announce figures of votes that were neither cast nor counted.” The group further challenged the Committee to produce evidence that voting took place in any ward or local government area across the state. “We had agents across the state, and there was not a single vote cast or counted anywhere. There were no queues and no accreditation of voters. So where did these figures come from? We challenge the Committee to produce a single photograph showing party members queueing to vote anywhere in Bauchi State. Such evidence does not exist,” the group queried.

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Speaking further, Mallam Abdullahi said the development raised serious questions about the democratic credentials of the APC. “No APC member in Bauchi State who watched the video of those figures being announced would believe that the party truly represents democracy or progressive ideals. This is far removed from the principles upon which the party was founded, and it is deeply insulting to the people of Bauchi State,” he said. The Forum clarified that it was not disputing the emergence of Muhammad Abubakar as the APC governorship candidate, but rather the claim that he emerged through an election. “Muhammad Abubakar emerged as the ‘consensus’ candidate. Some aspirants initially opposed the arrangement and preferred a direct primary, but two eventually agreed, albeit reluctantly, to his emergence. What we expected was for the party to openly state that he emerged through ‘a forced consensus’, not to falsely claim that an election was conducted. That narrative is simply untrue,” the statement added.

The fallout from the APC primaries has extended beyond Bauchi State. A former Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, resigned his membership of the APC over his loss during the APC governorship primaries in Nasarawa State. Adamu formally submitted his letter of resignation on Monday to the executives of the Makama ward in Lafia, the state capital. He said, “Today I address my letter to you, the ward executives, especially the ward chairman, of my decision to resign from the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect. This decision was not taken lightly. However, recent developments within the party, especially the conduct of the governorship primary election processes in Nasarawa State, have made it difficult for me to continue with my political activities under the platform of the party.”

Adamu explained that internal democracy, fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for aspirants and members, which guided the affairs of any democratic political party, did not reflect the party’s principles. “I strongly believe that internal democracy, fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for aspirants and members guide the affairs of any democratic political party. Unfortunately, the events surrounding the primary election did not reflect this principle and have led to a loss of confidence in the party’s leadership and the processes in the state. After wide consultations with supporters, political associates and family members, I have decided to withdraw my membership to pursue my political aspirations through another platform,” he noted. His resignation sparked protests among his supporters, with many seen in viral videos online burning the broom, the symbol of the APC.

In Kano State, a similar defection from the ruling APC was witnessed as Mustapha Dawaki, a former member of the House of Representatives and erstwhile Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, moved to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Dawaki was officially received on Monday by a leader of the NDC and founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, during a meeting held at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano. The development comes barely one week after Dawaki reportedly lost his bid to secure the APC consensus ticket for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat. Confirming the defection in a statement on Monday, Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, said the former APC stalwart had formally joined the NDC alongside his supporters. “Leader has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, popularly known as Mai Gidan Ruwa, into the NDC Kwankwasiyya movement,” Hassan wrote in a Facebook post. Political observers described the defection as another major shake-up within Kano politics, especially as opposition parties and ruling party blocs intensify consultations and consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

In Zamfara State, protests have continued to trail the outcome of the APC primaries. A Zamfara State senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North District, Aliyu Shinkafi, has petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, over what he termed as “imposition of Sahabi Alhaji Yau, as the sole candidate for the district.” Shinkafi described the exercise as an injustice and a flagrant disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended, Electoral Act 2026 and the constitution of the APC. He warned that Governor Dauda Lawal will be the major loser in what he called “conspiracy to exclude already cleared Senatorial aspirants from participating in the senate primaries in Zamfara State as the chances of APC winning the elections in the state is minimal.”

The mass defections sweeping through the APC in Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kano, and Zamfara States signal a significant political crisis for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The loss of two serving senators, a former Inspector General of Police, a former House of Representatives member turned Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, and scores of aspirants across various levels represents a substantial erosion of the party’s grassroots political structures. The defectors’ allegations of “no direct primaries,” “selection and imposition,” “predetermined results,” and “outright allocation of votes” strike at the heart of the APC’s claim to internal democracy. The Bauchi Progressives Forum’s assertion that no election was conducted and that figures announced were “fictitious” is particularly damaging to the party’s democratic credentials. The fact that many defectors have found a ready home in the PRP and NDC suggests that opposition parties are capitalising on the APC’s internal crisis to strengthen their own structures ahead of 2027. For the APC leadership, the challenge now is whether it can contain the fallout, address the grievances of aggrieved members, or risk further defections that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects in key states.

Mass Defection Hits Bauchi APC as Senators, Reps, Aspirants Dump Ruling Party

Related Topics:Bauchi APC defection Reps senators

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Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga labels Obi a “pathological and serial liar” over allegations of government persecution and safety threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Presidency has strongly dismissed allegations by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and an attempt to portray himself as a victim. In a statement titled “Peter Obi’s New Lies,” the Presidency said Obi’s recent comments alleging intimidation by the government were unfounded and designed to attract public sympathy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Obi had claimed in an interview on the With Chude podcast that he faces systematic harassment and may not be alive to contest the 2027 election. He cited specific incidents to support his claims, including an airport incident where he alleged that officials locked his vehicle while other cars parked in the same area were left untouched, and officials dismissed his complaint. He also claimed that associates avoid greeting him publicly for fear of becoming government targets, and that some families have invited him to events only to ask him not to attend. Additionally, Obi stated that the government is deliberately frustrating his daily activities, adding, “Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so.”

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Reacting to these allegations, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the claims, insisting that the Tinubu administration had neither the time nor the inclination to persecute the former Anambra State governor. Onanuga argued that the airport issue resulted from Obi flouting parking regulations, not from any government action, stating that “Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government—citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations—are simply unfounded and misleading.”

The presidential spokesman went further, dismissing Obi’s claims as a fabricated narrative and using strong language to describe the NDC candidate. He called Obi a “pathological and serial liar” who is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations. Onanuga also addressed Obi’s claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events, describing this as “nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.”

The Presidency also rejected suggestions that the government was targeting Fidelity Bank due to Obi’s reported interests in the financial institution. According to the statement, the bank “continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms,” adding that there was no basis for claims that it was under any form of government persecution. “Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements,” the statement said.

The Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained focused on implementing economic reforms and improving the welfare of Nigerians. It added that the government would not be distracted by what it described as Obi’s “self-serving narratives” and insisted that the administration’s priority remained consolidating reforms for national development.

Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’

Politics

I may not be alive to contest, Peter Obi alleges systematic persecution

Published

2 days ago

July 8, 2026

Trends Admin

I may not be alive to contest, Peter Obi alleges systematic persecution

Former Peter Obi has expressed fears for his safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he may not live long enough to contest the presidential race as he accused the government of systematically frustrating his businesses and targeting opposition figures.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, excerpts of which were shared on X on Wednesday.

Asked whether he would definitely be on the ballot in 2027, the former Anambra State governor responded that his participation was far from certain.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Although Obi stopped short of making a direct accusation against the government, he maintained that his businesses and daily activities are being deliberately obstructed, insisting that the pattern of events points to targeted harassment.

According to him, the alleged intimidation extends beyond his person, claiming that opposition figures across the country are facing similar treatment.

“They are attacking everybody who is in opposition personally,” he said, adding that he has also been denied benefits and privileges due to him.

To buttress his claim, Obi recounted an incident at an airport where, according to him, officials locked his vehicle while leaving other parked vehicles untouched. He said that even after identifying himself, the officer in charge ignored his complaint.

“But I said, ‘Look at the cars of other people.’ And you could see them talking to each other, as if, ‘Who is this one?'” he recalled.

Obi further claimed that the atmosphere of fear has become so pervasive that some of his associates now avoid being seen with him publicly, while others have asked him not to attend their family events to avoid possible repercussions.

“I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don’t come,'” he said.

Politics

Deregistration: Court adjourns hearing on ADC, four other political parties’ appeal

Published

3 days ago

July 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Deregistration: Court adjourns hearing on ADC, four other political parties’ appeal

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned until Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The appellate court granted the adjournment after lawyers representing the parties informed the court that although some legal processes had been filed and served, they were yet to receive and respond to all outstanding briefs necessary for the hearing of the appeal.

The appeal seeks to overturn a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance.

When the matter came up on Monday before a three-member panel led by Justice Abubakar Mohammed, counsel for all parties jointly requested more time to complete the exchange of legal documents.

The lawyers explained that they had filed and served some of their processes but were still awaiting response briefs from other parties before the substantive hearing could proceed.

After listening to the applications, the appellate court granted the request and fixed July 14 for hearing.

The court also directed all parties to ensure that every outstanding brief of argument is filed and served before the adjourned date to avoid further delays and enable the appeal to proceed on its merits.

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The latest adjournment follows an earlier postponement from June 25 to July 7, which was granted after counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), informed the court that the record of appeal and the certified copy of the Federal High Court judgment had only recently been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

According to the senior advocate, the transmission of the court records was necessary before parties could prepare, file and exchange their respective briefs of argument.

None of the parties opposed the request for an adjournment at the time, prompting the appellate court to grant additional time for the completion of the legal processes.

The legal dispute originated from a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Lifu held that the affected political parties failed to satisfy the constitutional threshold stipulated under Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding electoral performance in previous general elections.

The trial court ruled that the parties did not secure the minimum constitutional requirements to remain registered political parties and consequently directed INEC to remove them from its register.

The judgment further restrained the electoral commission from recognising the affected parties, accepting candidates nominated by them or allowing them to participate in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Lifu also ordered the parties to stop presenting themselves as registered political parties in Nigeria after upholding a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL).

However, the ruling immediately generated legal challenges after the affected parties argued that the Federal High Court proceeded to deliver its judgment despite an earlier order of the Court of Appeal directing the trial court to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal already before the appellate court.

In an earlier unanimous ruling, the Court of Appeal strongly criticised the action of the lower court, describing it as a breach of judicial hierarchy and constitutional procedure.

Justice Abubakar Mohammed observed that once a superior court issues an order, lower courts are constitutionally bound to comply with it until it is set aside.

He stressed that the appellate court has a duty to preserve the integrity of the judicial process and ensure obedience to its orders.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of Justice Lifu’s judgment pending the determination of the substantive appeal.

The decision effectively suspended the enforcement of the deregistration order, allowing the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party to retain their legal status until the appeal is finally determined.

The outcome of the appeal is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following recent political realignments involving opposition parties.

The ADC, which has recently attracted several prominent opposition politicians, is widely regarded as one of the parties that could play a major role in the build-up to the next presidential election.

The Court of Appeal is expected to begin substantive hearing of the appeal on July 14, provided all parties comply with its directive to file and exchange all outstanding briefs before the adjourned date.