The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State appears to be deepening, as more prominent members, including a former deputy governor and governorship aspirants, have resigned from the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Those who have recently announced their exit include former Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh; two-time APC governorship aspirant, Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin; and Hon. Sunusi Aliyu Kunde, a close associate of former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Their departures came despite ongoing reconciliation efforts by the party, including a committee headed by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Saleh, who served as deputy governor during the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda and is the Majidadin Katagum, resigned his APC membership in a letter dated August 19, 2026.
In the letter addressed to the APC chairman of Katagum Local Government Area through the party chairman of Matsango Ward, Azare, Saleh cited personal reasons for his decision.
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation from APC due to my personal reason,” he stated, while thanking party members for their support during his membership.
Jibrin, in his resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, was more critical of the party leadership, citing what he described as “brazen injustice” and alleged imposition of candidates.
He said his decision followed consultations with his supporters, friends and associates, who endorsed his exit from the party.
Jibrin had previously opposed the emergence of former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, as the APC governorship candidate, alleging that the primary process was manipulated in favour of a particular aspirant.
He has now said he would not support either President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or Abubakar in the 2027 elections, accusing both of failing to demonstrate sufficient commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in a letter dated August 10, 2026, addressed to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
His resignation followed several earlier departures from the party. They include the member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri; Katagum Federal Constituency aspirant, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu; and Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, the Sarkin Yamman Katagum.
Other members reported to have left include Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye, Sani Muhammad Night, Hon. Rabi’u Abubakar Bishi and Mohammed Bakoji Maiwada.
The resignations have been linked by aggrieved members to allegations of lack of internal democracy, injustice and imposition of candidates during the party’s primaries.
The Bauchi Progressives Forum also rejected the APC governorship primary results, alleging that the exercise did not take place across the state.
The forum, in a statement signed by its chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the announced results as “fictitious” and alleged that aspirants were pressured to step down in favour of Abubakar.
The allegations have, however, been rejected or disputed by APC supporters, who insist that the party remains strong in the state.
Meanwhile, the APC has continued to announce the admission of new members. The party recently held a reception in Azare where it announced that thousands of members had joined from various political parties under the leadership of Faruk Mustapha.
However, the absence of several influential APC stakeholders, including Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Alhaji Nura Manu Soro, Bala Maijama’a Wunti, former Governor Isa Yuguda and former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, generated questions among party observers.
Some aggrieved members have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and other national leaders to intervene and facilitate reconciliation.
Political observers said the competing developments present a mixed picture for the APC, with new entrants potentially strengthening its grassroots structure while the continued departure of established politicians could weaken the party ahead of 2027.
They said the ability of the Bauchi APC leadership to reconcile its factions and restore confidence among stakeholders could determine its electoral prospects in the state.
