By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
Heavy security was deployed at the Bauchi State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday as seven aspirants prepared to participate in the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 polls, while two contenders withdrew from the race under different circumstances.
Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise at the APC secretariat in Bauchi, observed a strong presence of security operatives stationed around the premises as the primary election commenced.
The seven aspirants contesting the primary are former official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dr Bala Wunti; former Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar (SAN); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Yakubu Abdullahi; former aide to the Bauchi State Governor, Kabiru Babama’aji; former Minority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Baba Abubakar; and former Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Nura Soro.
Meanwhile, Sunusi Magaji, PhD, reportedly stepped down in support of Mohammed Abubakar, while the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, withdrew from the race, citing alleged breaches of constitutional provisions in the conduct of the party’s primaries.
Less than 24 hours before the primary election, a coalition of political support groups loyal to Dr Bala Wunti expressed confidence in the process and urged APC members to rally behind their candidate.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bala Wunti Support Organisation, Mukhtar Jarmajo, described Wunti as the aspirant best positioned to unite the party and provide purposeful leadership for the state.
He described the APC primary as a defining moment for the future of Bauchi State and urged party members to support what he called “a tested leader with competence, compassion, and grassroots acceptance.”
Jarmajo also expressed confidence in the party leadership and the conduct of the exercise.
“We have confidence in the President and the leadership of the party at the national and state levels,” he said.
Speaking on their electoral strategy, he remained guarded, saying: “We have our strategy to win the primary election, but we cannot make it public.”
