“Tinubu Already Picked Bauchi Candidate” — Ex-Minister Yusuf Tuggar Alleges APC Primaries Were Ignored
Fresh controversy has erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations by former Minister Yusuf Tuggar that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allegedly imposed a governorship candidate on party members in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tuggar, while expressing frustration over the internal process within the party, claimed that no democratic primary election was conducted before party stakeholders were allegedly informed that a preferred candidate had already been selected from Abuja.
According to him, the development undermines democratic principles and weakens confidence in the credibility of internal party processes.
“This is not democracy. The President shouldn’t be choosing governor candidates for us. We didn’t do any primaries; they just called and said Tinubu had chosen Abubakar as Bauchi governorship candidate,” Tuggar reportedly lamented.
The statement has sparked widespread debate across political circles, especially among APC supporters and opposition figures who have repeatedly accused major political parties in Nigeria of sidelining grassroots members during candidate selection processes.
Political observers say the allegation reflects the growing tension within several state chapters of the APC as early permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not announced any official timetable for governorship primaries, internal lobbying and political alignments have reportedly begun in many states across the country.
The alleged imposition of candidates has historically remained one of the biggest sources of crisis within Nigerian political parties. Analysts note that disputes over consensus arrangements and alleged interference from powerful political figures have often resulted in defections, court cases, and internal divisions.
In recent years, several politicians across party lines have openly criticized what they describe as “Abuja politics,” where influential figures allegedly determine candidates without broad consultation with delegates or grassroots members.
The APC leadership at the national level has repeatedly insisted that all party primaries would follow constitutional and democratic procedures. However, accusations of favoritism and candidate imposition continue to surface in different states whenever election cycles approach.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had officially responded to Tuggar’s allegation. There has also been no public confirmation regarding any adopted governorship candidate for Bauchi State.
The controversy is expected to further heat up political discussions within Bauchi APC, where several aspirants are believed to be positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle. Some party members fear that unresolved disputes over candidate selection could weaken the party’s chances in future elections, particularly in states where internal unity remains fragile.
Opposition parties have also seized on the allegation, arguing that the development exposes what they describe as a lack of internal democracy within the ruling party. Critics say political parties cannot effectively strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system if transparent primaries are ignored.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Tinubu have defended the administration against the allegation, insisting that no official governorship candidate has been announced and warning against premature political speculation capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party.
The debate comes at a time when conversations around electoral reforms, party democracy, and the influence of political godfathers continue to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape. Civil society groups and democracy advocates have consistently called on political parties to ensure transparent, inclusive, and competitive primaries to strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
For many Nigerians, the latest controversy once again raises broader questions about the future of internal democracy in the country’s political system and whether party members at the grassroots level truly have a voice in deciding who emerges as candidates.
With political activities gradually building toward 2027, observers believe more internal battles, alliances, and accusations may emerge across different parties as aspirants continue to jostle for influence and endorsements.
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