Like Pantami in Gombe, Senator Shehu Buba Withdraws from APC Bauchi Governorship Primaries, Alleges Hijack of Party Structures
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, has formally withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Bauchi State, citing alleged hijack of party structures, imposition politics and violations of democratic principles within the party.
The development comes barely days after former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, similarly withdrew from the APC governorship primaries in Gombe State in protest over what he described as violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and lack of transparency in the conduct of the process.
In a letter dated May 10, 2026 and addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Jama’a/Zaranda Ward in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Senator Buba announced his decision to withdraw from the governorship primaries scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the APC National Chairman as well as the party’s state and local government leadership in Bauchi.
The senator alleged that anti-democratic forces within the party had taken over its structures in the state and were manipulating the process to impose predetermined outcomes.
According to him, the current situation within the Bauchi APC amounts to a flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution, the APC Constitution 2022 and the party’s internal guidelines.
“The illegal, undemocratic and unacceptable situation of subversion of the will of the majority by a few persons in the state has effectively and regrettably reversed its growing fortunes, momentum and support,” the lawmaker stated.
Senator Buba lamented that individuals who allegedly contributed little to the rebuilding and financing of the party in the state had suddenly emerged to dominate and hijack its structures.
“It is certainly most unfortunate that after all we have been doing to support, stabilize and promote the party all this while, a crop of hijackers who contributed very little to our efforts will suddenly appear and undemocratically take over the structures of the party,” he added.
The senator further alleged that the same irregularities and imposition culture that characterised the party congresses were being replicated ahead of the governorship primaries.
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According to him, results of the exercise were allegedly already known to key stakeholders before voting.
“Based on the foregoing, it is of grave concern to me as a matter of information and experience that virtually all is in place for the continuation of the imposition culture that characterized the party’s congresses,” he said.
“These anti-democratic forces are hell-bent on repeating their exploits during the forthcoming governorship primaries such that the result of the exercise is already handy and known to virtually every serious stakeholder and aspirant.”
Despite his withdrawal, Senator Buba reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pledged continued support for the president’s re-election bid in 2027.
The senator carefully distinguished his grievances with the management of the APC in Bauchi State from his relationship with President Tinubu, whom he described as a “globally acclaimed democrat” and a father figure.
“For the father figure Mr. President and leader of the party has been to me, for his reputation as a globally acclaimed democrat, and considering the unique place he occupies particularly at this material time, I shall refrain from saying more on this,” he stated.
He also assured the president of the continued support of his political structure and loyalists ahead of the next presidential election.
“I reiterate our commitment to working with you towards attaining a resounding victory for His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in the presidential election. We shall taste victory again regarding his mandate,” Senator Buba declared.
Political observers note that Senator Buba’s withdrawal may further deepen concerns over internal democracy within the APC in some states, especially coming shortly after Professor Pantami’s similar protest withdrawal in Gombe State.
Pantami had withdrawn from the Gombe APC governorship race over alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026, lack of transparency and exclusion of aspirants from critical aspects of the primary process.
The Bauchi senator, widely reputed to have singlehandedly financed and sustained APC activities in the state for several years through logistics, mobilisation and infrastructure support, concluded his letter by expressing hope that the experience would serve as a lesson on the sanctity of majority will in a democracy.
He also thanked the APC for the opportunity to serve under its platform.
By PRNigeria
