By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
Amid ongoing party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) may face a major political setback in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State unless urgent reconciliation measures are taken, a coalition of youths and women under the leadership of Alhaji Safiyanu Muhammad Tama has warned.
Addressing a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Bauchi on Friday, the group said the APC’s grassroots base in Toro LGA is under serious strain due to feelings of abandonment, frustration, and exclusion.
The coalition called the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and other party leaders to what it described as growing discontent among party loyalists in the area.
Operating under the banner of the “Concerned Youths and Women of Toro LGA,” the group described Toro as one of the APC’s strongest and most dependable strongholds in Bauchi State, noting that the local government ranks second only to Bauchi LGA in voting strength and grassroots mobilization capacity.
“Over the years, the people of Toro LGA have consistently demonstrated uncommon loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication toward the success of APC at all levels,” the group stated.
“Despite this undeniable contribution and loyalty, it is heartbreaking that Toro LGA today appears politically abandoned, marginalised, and neglected within the APC structure in Bauchi State,” Alhaji Tama said.
According to the group, the immediate cause of the growing unrest is the recent political developments surrounding the Bauchi South senatorial ticket.
They cited the withdrawal of Senator Shehu Buba from the contest and the denial of the ticket to Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman as developments that have generated disappointment, frustration, and uncertainty among APC supporters in the zone.
The coalition highlighted Dr. Usman’s contributions to the party and the wider community, including youth and women empowerment programmes, job creation initiatives, educational support, and humanitarian interventions across the seven local government areas of Bauchi South.
The group also claimed that Dr. Usman had provided financial support to sustain APC activities at the grassroots level.
“If these growing concerns are not urgently addressed through reconciliation, inclusion, fairness, and proper stakeholder engagement, the APC risks weakening its political strength and unity in the area,” the group warned.
The coalition appealed to President Tinubu to intervene as the “father and leader of the APC family nationwide” by promoting reconciliation, unity, and inclusiveness in Toro LGA and Bauchi State.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the group cautioned that continued silence from the party leadership could be interpreted as abandonment.
The group further urged the APC national and state leadership to convene reconciliation meetings with aggrieved stakeholders in Toro, engage directly with Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman, ensure greater inclusion of youths and women in decision-making processes, and strengthen communication between party leaders and grassroots members.
The coalition stressed that its position should not be viewed as rebellion but as a sincere appeal from loyal party members.
“We wish to state clearly that the youths and women of Toro LGA do not want to leave APC for any opposition party. APC remains our political home.
However, loyalty must be protected with fairness, inclusion, and political recognition,” Alhaji Tama stated.
