Former Minister Yusuf Tuggar has alleged that the process leading to the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State lacked democratic legitimacy, claiming that no primary election was conducted.
Speaking on the controversy, Tuggar said party stakeholders were informed by the APC National Chairman that former Governor Muhammad Abubakar had been selected as the party’s flag bearer, with the decision purportedly carrying the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu.
Tuggar further claimed that the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, personally lobbied President Tinubu to prevent him from contesting for the party’s governorship ticket.
“This is not democracy. The President should not be deciding governorship candidates for us,” Tuggar said. “No primary election was held. We were simply informed that Tinubu had chosen Muhammad Abubakar as the APC governorship candidate for Bauchi State.”
The allegations are likely to intensify concerns over internal party democracy within the APC ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
