Over 75 APC Coalition, Clamour For Legitimacy Of Bauchi Congress

By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi

Disturbed by some unsettled developments arising out of the recently concluded State Congress in Bauchi State, A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu’s support groups in the state have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to intervene and affirm the outcome of the recently conducted peaceful state Congress.

The coalition also urged the APC national leadership to immediately inaugurate the newly elected executives in state.

The coalition, comprising over 75 support groups, made the call during a press conference held on Monday at the Double 4 Event Centre in Bauchi, where it informed that the Congress that produced new state executives was duly conducted and should be recognised, warning against what it described as attempts by a few stakeholders to manipulate the outcome.

Chairman of the coalition’s advisory board, Barrister Jibrin Jibrin, drew the attention of President Tinubu, the APC National leadership, and other party leaders to what it termed as “disturbing developments” following the Bauchi exercise.

According to Barr. Jibrin, the congress reflected the will of the majority of party stakeholders, noting that the process was monitored by INEC, security agencies, the media and other relevant bodies.

“For clarity and ease of reference, we hereby present a certified true copy of the results of the state congress, which returned Alhaji Muhammad Hassan Tilde as State Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Zirami as State Secretary, and Alhaji Yakubu Muhammed as Organising Secretary, among others,” the group informed.

The Coalition expressed concern over alleged efforts to replace duly elected officials with candidates who were defeated during the congress.

“It is a matter of serious concern that after the exercise, some forces have initiated attempts to manipulate the results in favour of their preferred candidates, despite their clear defeat,” Jibrin said.

The Coalition warned and advised that such actions could undermine party unity and affect its chances in future elections, particularly the 2027 general polls.

“Mr. President, the APC in Bauchi State needs your urgent intervention to ensure that the will of the majority prevails and that the party’s prospects in 2027 are not jeopardised by the selfish interests of a few individuals,” the coalition said.

It further noted with interest that the congress was conducted in line with the provisions of the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026, expressing surprise that Bauchi State is yet to inaugurate its new executives unlike many other states.

The coalition also cautioned against a repeat of past experiences, referencing internal disputes that negatively impacted the party’s performance in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

“We have made significant progress in repositioning the party for victory. This must not be reversed. Our stakeholders have spoken clearly through the congress, and their decision must be respected,” it added.

Reaffirming its support for President Tinubu, the coalition stressed that unity within the party remains critical to securing victory in 2027.

“There is no better way to guarantee success for the APC and President Tinubu in Bauchi State than by upholding the democratic choice of party members,” the coalition reemphasized.

The coalition, through the chairman, explained that It’s interesting to say that almost all states across the country have inaugurated their new leaders, “this is not the case with Bauchi”. We therefore appeal to our leaders at the top to please inaugurate the state new set of executives of the party duly elected and endorsed by the majority in the state in accordance with law, in the interest of justice and fairness”.