By Abdulwahab Muhammad BauchiPublished by Alphapressmedia
The Senator representing Bauchi South, Shehu Buba Umar, has withdrawn from the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, citing alleged violations of party guidelines and constitutional provisions.Buba, regarded as one of the leading governorship aspirants in the race, announced his withdrawal barely 24 hours before the scheduled primary election, alleging irregularities and a lack of internal democracy in the conduct of the exercise.In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Comrade Sabo Mohammed, the senator said the decision followed extensive consultations with supporters, political associates, family members, and other stakeholders after what he described as “grave violations” of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, the APC Constitution, and the party’s electoral guidelines.According to the statement, the APC in Bauchi State has been battling a prolonged leadership crisis affecting key positions within the state executive committee, including the offices of the State Secretary and Organising Secretary.
The statement added that the crisis, which allegedly characterised the ward, local government, and state congresses, had continued to undermine the party’s internal processes despite efforts by concerned stakeholders to resolve the issues amicably.The senator also accused some party officials of compromising the integrity of the ongoing primaries by allegedly operating from undisclosed locations and announcing predetermined results without conducting actual elections at designated venues.“The party officials have practically been hijacked by persons who do not mean well for the party,” the statement alleged, adding that no genuine election had taken place in several instances since the commencement of the primaries on May 16.Buba further questioned the transparency of the governorship primary process, demanding clarification on the identities of electoral officials, designated voting venues, collation centres, and procedures for distributing election materials.
He maintained that such information had not been made available to aspirants except to what he described as “prearranged winners.”The statement also referenced provisions of the APC Constitution promoting internal democracy, discipline, and adherence to the rule of law, arguing that the conduct of the primaries fell short of those principles.
The senator recalled recent remarks by Bola Ahmed Tinubu urging party officials and stakeholders to ensure fairness and provide a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the primaries.Despite his withdrawal from the contest, Buba pledged continued support for President Tinubu and his administration while urging his supporters and sympathisers to remain calm and steadfast.
He also expressed appreciation to the President for what he described as purposeful leadership of both the party and the country.“Democracy cannot flourish on the whims and caprices of a select few,” the statement added, insisting that electoral laws and party guidelines must be obeyed to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
