Tuggar’s Supporters Reject Alleged Emergence of Ex-Gov Abubakar as APC Governorship Candidate in Bauchi

Supporters of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, have rejected reports alleging the emergence of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, describing the process as unconstitutional and lacking legitimacy.

The supporters, under the aegis of the Executive Committee of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made their position known while addressing journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Shehu Barau Ningi said no governorship primary election had been conducted by the APC in Bauchi State and questioned the basis upon which any aspirant could be declared the party’s candidate.

Ningi said the committee had earlier conveyed its position in an appeal dated June 2, 2026, addressed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. According to him, the group also petitioned the party’s national leadership, urging it to reverse what it described as the “selection” of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and instead consider Amb. Tuggar for the party’s governorship ticket.

The committee further alleged that Abubakar had made conflicting public statements regarding his reported emergence, claiming that he initially said all aspirants unanimously endorsed him before later stating that he emerged through a primary election. It argued that imposing him as the party’s candidate could undermine the APC’s prospects in the 2027 governorship election, citing alleged dissatisfaction among party members and reports of defections.

The group also contended that Abubakar, who lost his re-election bid in 2019, had not rebuilt the party’s grassroots structures since leaving office. It further argued that, in the interest of equity and power rotation, Katagum Senatorial District had not produced a governor since the tenure of the late Abubakar Tatari Ali, which ended in 1983.

The supporters endorsed Amb. Tuggar, who hails from Katagum Senatorial District, as their preferred aspirant, describing him as a loyal member of the progressive political family from the days of the APP and ANPP through the CPC and now the APC.

They called on the APC national leadership to conduct an independent opinion poll and review the reported declaration in the interest of justice, fairness, internal democracy and the party’s electoral success.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC national leadership and Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar had not responded to the claims. NAN could not independently verify the committee’s allegations or the reported emergence of any governorship candidate, and there was no official confirmation that the APC had concluded its governorship candidate selection process in Bauchi State.