Primaries fallout: Supporters back Bauchi senator amid APC exit report

The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, has reportedly defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Redemption Party following his withdrawal from the APC governorship race in Bauchi State.

The development comes days after the senator announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship contest, citing alleged irregularities and constitutional breaches in the conduct of the party’s primaries in the state.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Sabo Muhammad, the senator accused some party officials of manipulating the primaries process by allegedly announcing predetermined results without conducting actual voting exercises.

“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,” the statement read.

Following his withdrawal, photographs emerged on Sunday from Mujaddadi TV (Buba’s Social Media Team) showing the senator holding a registration certification of the PRP, fuelling reports of his defection from the ruling party.

Meanwhile, supporters of the lawmaker on Saturday reaffirmed their loyalty to him, declaring their readiness to follow him to any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The supporters said they had resolved to urge Buba to leave the APC and join the PRP to actualise his governorship ambition in Bauchi State.

Speaking during a solidarity rally organised in support of the senator at Pali Suite in Bauchi on Saturday, Chairman of the Mujaddadi Kafar Kafarmu Group, Haruna Modibbo, described Buba as the most competent aspirant among those seeking the governorship seat in the state.

Modibbo recalled that the senator withdrew from the APC governorship race over alleged plans to impose a candidate instead of conducting what he described as a free, fair and transparent primaries.

According to him, since Buba’s withdrawal, many supporters have accused some APC stakeholders in Bauchi State of working against the senator’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that Buba remained the most credible candidate to govern Bauchi, citing his record in youth empowerment, women support programmes, job creation, education and healthcare since becoming senator representing Bauchi South.

Modibbo added that the state stood to benefit significantly if the senator eventually emerged as governor in 2027.

The group also pledged to mobilise support for Buba across the state to ensure his electoral success, while urging women and youths to sensitise the public to the need to elect a capable and people-oriented leader.

Leader of the women’s wing of the Mujaddadi Kafar Kafarmu Group, Ummi Aliyu, said members were prepared to intensify grassroots mobilisation in support of the senator.

She stressed that the people should look beyond party affiliations and support candidates based on competence, credibility and leadership qualities.