Bauchi APC crisis deepens as Senator Buba, others defect to PRP

Political tension has intensified in Bauchi State after Senator Shehu Bubs Umar, who represents the Bauchi South Senatorial District, left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) just days after withdrawing from the APC governorship primary.

Buba, a leading contender for the governorship ticket, withdrew from the race shortly before the primary election, citing violations of party rules and the constitution. He officially announced his resignation on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

He said the APC lacked internal democracy, fairness, and marginalised genuine party members, and that the party had grown increasingly indifferent to grassroots supporters.

After extensive consultations with political allies, youth groups, women’s groups, stakeholders, and supporters across Bauchi State, Buba announced his move to the PRP.

He said the PRP offers a platform built on “justice, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and people‑oriented leadership.”

Buba urged leaders to unite in addressing national challenges such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship.

“Our people deserve better governance, better opportunities, and leadership that truly listens to their concerns. Politics should be about service to humanity, justice, development, and improving the living conditions of the masses,” Buba said.

He also called on his supporters to join him in the PRP to continue the struggle for good governance and accountability in Bauchi State.

The political crisis deepened when another senator from Bauchi North, Samaila Kaila Dahuwa, resigned from the APC after losing his return ticket and also joined the PRP.

In the House of Representatives, Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri quit the APC after failing to secure the party’s ticket for re‑election. He submitted his resignation letter on May 21, 2026, to his ward chairman.

Former deputy governorship candidate in 2023, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa, also left the APC, citing a “lack of purposeful leadership, unfair treatment of party members and lack of cohesion among leaders of the party.”

Since the APC governorship primaries concluded, several other aspirants and party stakeholders have resigned, accusing the process of lacking transparency and internal democracy.

Former House of Assembly majority leader and aspirant for Katagum Federal Constituency, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, also resigned. He said the process was unfair and predetermined.

In his letter, he wrote: “I write to formally notify you of my intention to resign my membership of the party (Membership No. APC 051203000049) in your ward, with immediate effect.”

He added: “This decision follows recent developments regarding party activities, particularly the conduct of the 2026 primaries for various elective positions. After careful observation and review, I am convinced that the process was marred by predetermined results, the outright allocation of votes, and non‑compliance with the guidelines for the conduct of said primaries.”

Other party members, including Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, also left the APC, describing the primaries as unfair and undemocratic.

Similarly, Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye and Hon. Rabi’u Abubakar Bishi resigned, both citing injustice, internal crises, and irregularities within the party.

Many of the aggrieved members insisted that no proper direct primaries were conducted, claiming that candidates were imposed rather than elected through a democratic process.