APC Bauchi 2026: Progressives Forum Rejects Primary Results, Describes Exercise as Fictitious, Fake By Raymond Enoch
The Bauchi Progressives Forum has rejected the results announced by the committee overseeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Bauchi State, insisting that no election took place and alleging that aspirants were pressured into stepping down for former Governor Muhammad Abubakar.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, the group described the figures released by the primaries committee as fictitious, misleading and insulting to party members and the people of Bauchi State.
“There was no governorship primary election in Bauchi State. Nigerians should not be deceived. The aspirants were invited by certain individuals and asked to step down for former Governor Muhammad Abubakar. They reluctantly agreed because they were denied the opportunity of a credible direct primary,” the statement said.
The Forum maintained that it was unacceptable for the committee chairman to announce vote figures “that were neither cast nor counted,” arguing that there was no evidence of accreditation, voting or collation anywhere across the state.
According to the group, party agents stationed across Bauchi reported that no voting process was conducted in any ward or local government area.
“We had agents across the state and there was not a single vote cast or counted anywhere. There were no queues, no accreditation and no voting process. So where did the figures come from?” the statement queried.
The group further challenged the committee to provide photographic or video evidence showing APC members participating in the alleged primary election.
“We challenge the committee to produce a single photograph showing party members queueing to vote anywhere in Bauchi State. Such evidence does not exist,” it stated.
Mallam Abdullahi said the development had raised concerns about the democratic integrity of the APC in the state, warning that the process could erode confidence among party loyalists and the wider public.
“No APC member in Bauchi who watched the announcement of those figures would believe the party truly reflects democratic or progressive ideals. This is far removed from the principles upon which the party was founded and deeply insulting to the people of Bauchi State,” he said.
The Forum, however, clarified that it was not opposing the emergence of Muhammad Abubakar as the party’s governorship candidate, but rather disputing the claim that he emerged through a competitive election.
According to the statement, Abubakar emerged through what it described as a “consensus arrangement,” with some aspirants initially resisting the move and demanding a direct primary before eventually agreeing under pressure.
“What we expected was for the party to openly state that Muhammad Abubakar emerged through a consensus arrangement, not to falsely claim that an election was conducted. That narrative is simply untrue,” the Forum added.
