Bauchi APC Faces Defection Threat as Women, Youth Groups Protest Shehu Buba’s Withdrawal from Governorship Primary

Youth and women groups within the APC in Bauchi State have threatened mass defections following Senator Shehu Buba Umar’s withdrawal from the party’s governorship primary, accusing the party leadership of marginalizing Toro LGA despite its longstanding support for the APC.

By Folarin Aluko

Fresh political tension is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State after a coalition of youth groups, women organizations and grassroots mobilisers threatened to dump the party following the withdrawal of Senator Shehu Buba Umar from the APC governorship

Fresh political tension is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State after a coalition of youth groups, women organizations and grassroots mobilisers threatened to dump the party following the withdrawal of Senator Shehu Buba Umar from the APC governorship primary election.

The coalition, made up of APC stakeholders in Toro Local Government Area, warned that the party could suffer major political consequences in the area if urgent reconciliation efforts are not initiated by the national leadership.

The warning was issued during a joint press briefing held on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi, where coalition leaders accused the party leadership of neglecting and marginalizing Toro LGA despite years of political loyalty and electoral support.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Safiyanu Muhammad Tama said the decision to publicly express dissatisfaction followed extensive consultations with party elders, women groups, youth organizations and student associations across the local government area.

According to him, the political developments surrounding the APC governorship primary have created frustration, uncertainty and declining morale among party supporters in Toro.

The group described Toro LGA as one of the APC’s strongest political strongholds in Bauchi State, claiming the area possesses the second-largest voting strength after Bauchi Local Government Area.

Despite this, the coalition alleged that party loyalists in the area have been sidelined in major political decisions and denied adequate recognition within the party structure. “Despite our undeniable contribution and loyalty, it is heartbreaking that Toro LGA today appears politically abandoned, marginalized and neglected,” the group stated.

The coalition particularly expressed disappointment over Senator Shehu Buba’s withdrawal from the governorship race and what it described as the denial of a senatorial ticket to Dr Ibrahim Ali Usman.

According to the group, the two developments have weakened confidence among supporters and increased fears that frustrated members may defect to opposition parties ahead of future elections.

Senator Shehu Buba had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, citing alleged irregularities, lack of transparency and violations of party guidelines and electoral laws during the conduct of the process. His withdrawal immediately triggered political reactions across Bauchi State, especially among supporters who viewed him as a major contender within the APC.

The coalition insisted that youths and women in Toro LGA have consistently played a vital role in strengthening the APC through grassroots mobilization, campaign activities and voter support during previous elections. However, members warned that continued neglect of loyal stakeholders could seriously damage the party’s unity and electoral strength in the area.

Despite their grievances, the coalition reaffirmed support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group stressed that its warning should not be interpreted as rebellion against the party but rather as an attempt to prevent deeper internal divisions and possible electoral setbacks.

The coalition appealed directly to President Tinubu, the APC National Chairman and other senior party leaders to urgently intervene before the crisis escalates further.

Among the demands presented by the group were immediate reconciliation meetings with aggrieved stakeholders in Toro LGA, strategic engagement with Dr Ibrahim Ali Usman and other loyal party figures, and stronger communication between the party leadership and grassroots supporters.

The coalition also called for formal recognition of Toro LGA’s political contributions to the growth and success of the APC in Bauchi State over the years.

Political observers say the latest development highlights growing internal tensions within the APC ahead of future elections, particularly as disputes over primaries, candidate selection and party leadership continue to generate dissatisfaction across several states.

The threat of possible defections from Toro LGA could pose a significant challenge for the APC in Bauchi, especially given the area’s electoral importance and influence within the state’s political landscape.

As political alignments ahead of future elections continue to evolve, party leaders are expected to intensify reconciliation efforts to prevent further fragmentation within the ruling party.

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The coalition, made up of APC stakeholders in Toro Local Government Area, warned that the party could suffer major political consequences in the area if urgent reconciliation efforts are not initiated by the national leadership.

The warning was issued during a joint press briefing held on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi, where coalition leaders accused the party leadership of neglecting and marginalizing Toro LGA despite years of political loyalty and electoral support.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Safiyanu Muhammad Tama said the decision to publicly express dissatisfaction followed extensive consultations with party elders, women groups, youth organizations and student associations across the local government area.

According to him, the political developments surrounding the APC governorship primary have created frustration, uncertainty and declining morale among party supporters in Toro.

The group described Toro LGA as one of the APC’s strongest political strongholds in Bauchi State, claiming the area possesses the second-largest voting strength after Bauchi Local Government Area.

Despite this, the coalition alleged that party loyalists in the area have been sidelined in major political decisions and denied adequate recognition within the party structure. “Despite our undeniable contribution and loyalty, it is heartbreaking that Toro LGA today appears politically abandoned, marginalized and neglected,” the group stated.

The coalition particularly expressed disappointment over Senator Shehu Buba’s withdrawal from the governorship race and what it described as the denial of a senatorial ticket to Dr Ibrahim Ali Usman.

According to the group, the two developments have weakened confidence among supporters and increased fears that frustrated members may defect to opposition parties ahead of future elections.

Senator Shehu Buba had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, citing alleged irregularities, lack of transparency and violations of party guidelines and electoral laws during the conduct of the process.

His withdrawal immediately triggered political reactions across Bauchi State, especially among supporters who viewed him as a major contender within the APC.

The coalition insisted that youths and women in Toro LGA have consistently played a vital role in strengthening the APC through grassroots mobilization, campaign activities and voter support during previous elections. However, members warned that continued neglect of loyal stakeholders could seriously damage the party’s unity and electoral strength in the area.

Despite their grievances, the coalition reaffirmed support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group stressed that its warning should not be interpreted as rebellion against the party but rather as an attempt to prevent deeper internal divisions and possible electoral setbacks.

The coalition appealed directly to President Tinubu, the APC National Chairman and other senior party leaders to urgently intervene before the crisis escalates further.

Among the demands presented by the group were immediate reconciliation meetings with aggrieved stakeholders in Toro LGA, strategic engagement with Dr Ibrahim Ali Usman and other loyal party figures, and stronger communication between the party leadership and grassroots supporters. The coalition also called for formal recognition of Toro LGA’s political contributions to the growth and success of the APC in Bauchi State over the years.

Political observers say the latest development highlights growing internal tensions within the APC ahead of future elections, particularly as disputes over primaries, candidate selection and party leadership continue to generate dissatisfaction across several states.

The threat of possible defections from Toro LGA could pose a significant challenge for the APC in Bauchi, especially given the area’s electoral importance and influence within the state’s political landscape.

As political alignments ahead of future elections continue to evolve, party leaders are expected to intensify reconciliation efforts to prevent further fragmentation within the ruling party.