Senator Shehu Buba Umar Withdraws From Bauchi APC Governorship Primaries
By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
One of the leading contenders for the gubernatorial ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Sen Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District has formally withdrawn from the contest scheduled for Thursday, 21st May, 2026.
The aspirant announced his withdrawal under protest following alleged breaches of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Electoral Act 2026, APC Constitution 2022 as amended and Party guidelines.
The announcement was contained in a statement of the withdrawal signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Comrade Sabo Mohammed addressed to the APC leadership and made available to Journalists on Wednesday.
It reads: “This is to bring to the attention of the members of the public particularly citizens of Bauchi State that Distinguished Senator Shehu Buba Umar (representing Bauchi South) at the 10th Senate and an APC Governorship Aspirant in Bauchi State has withdrawn from the contest of the Governorship Primaries scheduled for 21st May,2026..”
“It will be recalled that before 19th April, 2026 which was the day Senator Shehu Buba Umar declared his acceptance of the clamor and calls from the teeming and dependable People of Bauchi State including but not limited to his constituents, as it relates to the aspiration to the office of the Governor of Bauchi State, the party has been enmeshed in serious crisis of leadership in respect of key offices in the State Executive Committee such as State Secretary and Organising Secretary, “It further contained
He stated that,”This crisis that characterized the conduct of the ward, Local Goverrinent and State congresses in the State as unfortunately served as the starting point of the serious leadership issues the party is grappling with, coupled witth the attendant legal, political and other implications. Even after accepting to run for the Governorship of Bauchi State on the Platform of the party, Senator Shehu Buba with other concerned stakeholders have virtually exhausted all possible means of amicably resolving these issues to no avail.”
“It is thus pertinent to remember that in the first place, it is based on the founding ideals and objectives of the Party(APC) that Distinguished Senator Shehu Buba Umar contested and won and has been representing the good people of Bauchi South at the Senate. It is equally a fact that in a bid to strengthen the party faithfuls’ resolve as regards its core aims, goal and objectives, the party provide for same in its Constitution,” he added.
He further stated that,”To further drive home the point, Article 7 (ix) and (x) respectively of the All Progressives Congress’ extant Constitution provides thus: the party shal…(ix) “.. promote and uphold the principles and practice of internal democracy at all levels of the party.” (x) institutionalize, maintain and foster representative democracy,
discipline and observance of the rule of law in the Federal Republic
of Nigeria'”.
According to him, “It is to be noted with pride that the leader of the party in order to ensure free, fair and credible primary elections, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR in a build-up to the 2026 primary elections
urged “party’s executives and other stakeholders to ensure fairness by providing all aspirants with a level playing field” adding also that “the party could not afford conduct capable of undermining internal cohesion or weakening Nigeria’s democratic process.”
According to him, “To our utmost chagrin, however, a complete opposite of what the law says and the admonishment of Mr. President was the reflection of the conduct of the APC primaries commencing from the House of Representatives’ on the 16th May, 2026 to Senate’s on the 18th May,2026 and the House of Assembly which will take place today being 20th May ,2026 without exception also to the Governorship’s.”
He alleged that,”The Party officials have practically been hijacked by persons who do not mean well for the party having allowed themselves to be caged at undisclosed hotels in Bauchi State without appearing at the
elections’ venues but releasing predetermined results of the elections with persons who are not people’s choices as winners, as they do not have electoral value in the forthcoming 2027 General elections.”
Sabo Muhammad added that,”It is a matter of public knowledge that for almost three years now, Senator Shehu Buba Umar is virtually the sole and fundamental pillar who has been providing moral and material support in almost all APC’s activities in Bauchi State but regrettably is being treated as a “‘second class citizen” in a party which he nurtures with abiding passion.”
“At this juncture, therefore, the following questions stare Senator Shehu Buba (being a frontline contender in the primary election in the primary elections scheduled for 21May 2026), other aspirants concerned and party faithfuls in the face begging for answers and are as follows:
Who are the electoral officials assigned to Bauchi State to conduct Governorship primaries on the 21t May,2026? Where are the venues for the conduct of the primaries? Is it at all the Polling Units or wards and what are their names in order to enable us prepare adequately in terms of Agents for the monitoring of the elections activities. Where are the collation Centres and who are the officers there from? Where is the place for the supply and receipt of electoral materials and what is the time for the supplies? And many more.”
According to him,”It is also a matter of fact that from the commencement of APC primaries on the 16th till now, the above questions largely and strangely remain unansweread. This is a situation with all aspirants except the prearranged winners of the elections.”.
He stressed that,”Literally speaking, no election takes place and no electoral official is seen anywhere in Bauchi State for the conduct of 2026 elections.
Against this background, therefore, Senator Shehu Buba after wide consultations with his supporters, stakeholders, associates, family members and friends, has come to an irreversible conclusion of withdrawing from the All Progressives Congress
Governorship primary election scheduled for 21st May,2026 under protest following grave violations of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Electoral Act, 2026, All Progressives Congress Constitution 2022 as amended and APC Electoral Guidelines.”
He stressed that,”It is pertinent to note that democracy cannot flourish on the whims and caprices of a select few. Laws governing elections are made not for the fun of them but meant to be obeyed. Where this is not done, the only option left is to take the path of honour and abstain from the primaries.”
“In the light of the above, Senator Shehu Buba urges his supporters,
sympathizers and well wishers to remain calm and more resolute in the face of this current and deliberately arranged crisis while leaving our fate to the Almighty Allah to determine. On this note, Senator Shehu Buba Umar wants to use this medium to thank President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR for providing purposeful leadership to the party and the country and do pledge to work for his victory in the forthcoming general elections,” he concluded
