From Abdulwahab Muhammad
By Alphapressmedia
Amid rising tensions within the Bauchi State chapter of the APC, party chieftain Aliyu Ilelah has accused an internal caucus of undermining efforts to strengthen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid by opposing the planned defection of Governor Bala Mohammed to the party.A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Comrade Aliyu Ilelah, has declared that only self-centred politicians and those opposed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election would resist moves to welcome Governor Bala Mohammed into the party.Ilelah made the remarks while addressing journalists in Bauchi, where he was flanked by hundreds of supporters. He was reacting to a reported caucus meeting of APC stalwarts led by Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa Kaila, which opposed the idea of admitting the Bauchi State governor into the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.He described the stance of the caucus as “curious” and rooted in bitterness, alleging that it reflects personal ambition rather than the collective success of the APC.“It is disrespectful to the leadership of the party and Mr President. While the President and the APC national leadership are making efforts to reach out to the governor, some individuals are working to shut the door against him. The party does not belong to them alone,” Ilelah said.He further accused members of the caucus of political inconsistency, noting that some had previously defected between parties after losing primaries, while others joined the APC without wider consultation.Ilelah warned that internal divisions could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 general elections if not urgently addressed.“They must not endanger the President’s re-election bid because of self-serving and politically suicidal decisions by a few individuals calling themselves a caucus,” he cautioned.He maintained that a majority of APC supporters in Bauchi State favour the governor’s defection and are ready to support him.“We love and endorse President Tinubu’s second term bid, yet it is paradoxical that a few individuals are attempting to block a sitting governor who could become one of his strongest electoral assets—not only in Bauchi but across the country,” he added.Call for Strategic InclusivityAccording to Ilelah, no serious political party should ignore the electoral value of a sitting governor and his political structure, which includes commissioners, local government chairmen, advisers, and grassroots supporters.He argued that the position of the caucus exposes a growing disconnect between some party leaders and the broader electorate, as well as a divergence from the President’s national political vision.“Any political strategy that alienates Bauchi’s sitting governor is short-sighted and dangerous to the party’s national interest,” he warned.Appeal to Governor Bala MohammedIlelah also urged Governor Bala Mohammed to remain patient and proceed with his planned defection to the APC, assuring him of a warm reception from party members committed to unity and electoral success.He commended what he described as the inclusive political approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing alliances across several states as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national cohesion and political stability.The unfolding development underscores deepening internal tensions within the APC in Bauchi State, as competing interests shape the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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