BAUCHI 2027: LOYALISTS DUMPS EX-MINISTER TUGGAR FOR ABUBAKAR

Supporters of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar have declared support for former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group, which described itself as loyalists of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said it remains firmly in the APC and dismissed reports of a planned defection as false.

Addressing journalists at the Bauchi State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday, the group’s leader, Aminu Abdullahi, said no bloc of supporters of the former Minister of foreign affairs has resolved to leave the All Progressives Congress.

“We are his supporters, and he is one of the founding fathers of the APC. He led us from the CPC to the APC, and up to now he remains in the APC,” Abdullahi said.

Tuggar contested the APC governorship ticket in the last primaries but lost to Abubakar.

“He contested for the party’s governorship ticket but Allah did not grant him victory. Instead, He gave the victory to Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. As his loyalists and as party members, we are not leaving the party because we have sacrificed so much to bring it to where it is today.”

He added that Tuggar has not directed any member to defect.

“He has never informed us that he is leaving the APC. He remains in the party, and we also remain in the party. Unfortunately, some people are using his name, telling the world that they are leaving the APC, and claiming to be his supporters.”

The group pledged to work for Abubakar’s success and for the victory of the APC in Bauchi in 2027.

Abdullahi urged the media to verify any future statements on the group’s political position through Tuggar or his officially recognised representatives.

He said as loyalists, they remained committed to strengthening the APC in the state ahead of the election.