Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 general election. The defeat marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the state.
Also defeated in the contest was Bala Maijama'a A. Wunti, a former senior official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The primary election saw seven aspirants vying for the APC ticket.
Mohammed Abubakar Emerges Victorious
The APC governorship ticket was won by former Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, after a closely watched primary election. Results were announced early Saturday morning by the Chairman of the APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries Committee for Bauchi State, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police John Abang.
According to the committee chairman, Abubakar secured 57,517 votes to emerge winner of the primary. Tuggar came second with 26,001 votes, while Nura Manu Soro polled 13,638 votes.
Other Aspirants' Performance
Other contenders in the race included Bala Wunti, who scored 13,648 votes, Kabir Baba Ma'aji with 8,157 votes, Baba Abubakar Suleiman with 7,688 votes, and Yakubu Yakubu Abdullahi, who secured 7,181 votes. The primary election reportedly experienced delays before the final declaration of results was made.
Political Rivalry Resurfaces Ahead of 2027
The victory sets up a possible rematch between former governor Mohammed Abubakar and incumbent Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, who defeated him during the 2019 governorship election. Bala Mohammed had won the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending Abubakar's tenure as governor under the APC.
Tuggar was among the early members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's cabinet who resigned after the directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices in 2027 to leave government positions before 31 March 2027. His defeat is expected to reshape the political calculations within the APC in Bauchi State ahead of the governorship election.
Fayose's Son Wins APC Ticket
In related news, Boluwatife Fayose, son of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has emerged as the APC candidate for the Irepodun-Ifelodun 2 State Constituency ahead of the 2027 Ekiti State House of Assembly election. Also declared winners were the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, Deputy Speaker Bolaji Olagbaju, and Chairman of Ekiti South-West Local Government, Richard Apolola.
