A wave of resignations, allegations of candidate substitution and disputes over its governorship primary are threatening to deepen divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest controversy centres on three State House of Assembly candidates who alleged that their names were removed from the party’s candidate list after they won their respective primary elections.
The development has added to the party’s growing list of internal grievances and could test its ability to retain influential politicians and mobilise its supporters ahead of the elections.
Hon. Abdulhamid Rufai, who claimed victory in the primary for Zungur/Galambi/Miri constituency, said he was formally declared winner but later discovered that his name had been replaced on the list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Rufai said the primary was held on May 21, 2026, with the result announced on May 23 by retired AIG John Bassey Abang, chairman of the party’s Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries Committee.
He said all the successful candidates completed their documentation before the names were forwarded to the APC National Secretariat.
Rufai alleged that the substitution was politically motivated and vowed to challenge it through legitimate channels.
Two other candidates, Zulkifilu Dahiru Kafi and Ibrahim A. Adamu, who were declared winners in Ganjuwa West and Ganjuwa East respectively, were also alleged to have suffered similar treatment.
The controversy comes after several prominent APC members announced their withdrawal from the party.
Former Bauchi Deputy Governor Sagir Aminu Saleh resigned in August, citing personal reasons, while former governorship aspirant Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin linked his resignation to what he described as “brazen injustice” and alleged imposition of candidates.
Hon. Sunusi Aliyu Kunde also resigned, while other members including Rabilu Bala Kashuri, Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu and Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir had earlier left the party.
Similarly, the party’s governorship primary has equally remained contentious.
Supporters of former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar have demanded a review of the process that produced former governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar as the APC governorship candidate.
The Tuggar Campaign Organisation alleged irregularities and called on the national leadership to reconsider the ticket.
The Bauchi Progressives Forum separately rejected the results, alleging that no governorship primary was conducted across the state.
The renewed internal crisis is occurring despite the APC’s appointment of former Speaker Yakubu Dogara as chairman of a reconciliation committee.
The committee was established in July to identify grievances and reconcile stakeholders, aspirants and members in an effort to restore unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers have warned that continued defections and unresolved complaints could undermine the party’s electoral prospects, despite its reported efforts to strengthen its grassroots structure.
They said the ability of the APC leadership to address allegations of imposition, candidate substitution and other complaints would be critical to preventing further fragmentation.
Responding to the candidate substitution allegation, APC State Chairman Muhammad Hassan Tilde said the party would investigate the matter.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Shehu Dauda Mohammed, said political disagreements were normal and maintained that no member would be forced to remain in the APC.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the APC now faces the challenge of reconciling its competing interests, retaining influential members and convincing aggrieved candidates that its internal processes can guarantee fairness.
