Bauchi 2027: Pressure groups urge APC to conduct fair, open primaries
By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
Two political pressure groups in Bauchi State — the Think-Tank Group for the Dream Bauchi Project and Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi — have cautioned the APC party’s leadership against the imposition of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the party to conduct an open, direct, and competitive primary process.
The groups’ position was contained in a joint statement signed by Think-Tank Chairman Professor Musa Muhammad Kirfi and Deputy Coordinator of Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi, Barrister Mahmood M. Maidoki (Esq.). The statement was presented during a press briefing by Professor Kirfi in Bauchi, Tuesday
The groups insisted that a fair and open contest for all aspirants would strengthen the party in the state. They also commended President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the entire party leadership for their commitment to party unity and for resisting what they described as attempts by Governor Bala Muhammad to defect to the party.
Professor Kirfi said the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi not to join the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections was commendable, adding that the governor was “not welcome” in the APC.
He announced that the groups, comprising men and women, had unanimously endorsed Senator Shehu Buba Umar as their preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 elections in the state.
The chairman cited the senator’s performance in the Nigerian Senate, his educational background as a doctoral researcher, his relatively young age, political experience at both national and local levels, and his commitment to the development of Bauchi State and its people as reasons for the endorsement.
“We are supporting his aspiration for the above-stated reasons. We are confident that if there is any politician of Bauchi State extraction capable of transforming our adversity into advantage, it is Shehu Umar Buba,” Kirfi said.
He added that Buba’s candidacy would guarantee victory for the APC in Bauchi State, with positive implications for the party’s national outlook
