RE: Bauchi APC Primaries And Press Freedom Allegations In Bauchi State From 2015-2019 -By Sani Danaudi Mohammed

I have read online recent statements credited to the Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Foundation regarding the APC primaries in Bauchi State, and another by our elder brother Musa Azare concerning freedom of the press and the 2016 DAAR Communications matter. It has become necessary to respond, not out of bitterness, but in the interest of truth, so that innocent voters are not misled by narratives taken out of context.

On the issue of the APC primaries, the Tuggar Foundation stated that they do not accept the outcome because it does not reflect the wishes of the people of Bauchi State. With due respect, the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act are very clear on this. Any grievance arising from a primary election must be channeled to the Appeal Panel within the time provided. That window has long elapsed and INEC has duly authenticated the flagbearer. To now hold media briefings after due process has closed is not an appeal. It is public commentary. It does not align with party procedure and it cannot alter a process that has been concluded in accordance with the law.

The statement also claimed that the people of Bauchi have asked for a new direction and that bringing back Barrister M. A. Abubakar SAN is not in line with their aspirations. The record says otherwise. The people of Bauchi have already spoken, twice, at the ballot. INEC’s verified results show that M. A. Abubakar SAN polled 634,000 votes in 2015 and over 500,000 votes in 2019. That is over one million votes across two election cycles. No other aspirant in this race can point to that kind of mandate. It is therefore not correct to claim to speak for the people when the people themselves have spoken decisively in his favor.

On the claim that the Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Movement remains committed to advocating for the interest of Bauchi State, we agree that advocacy is important. But advocacy at this time is best shown through unity and issue-based politics. The interest of Bauchi is best served when we rally behind the duly nominated candidate of our party and market the Renewed Hope Agenda to the electorate. Issuing divisive statements in the media weakens the party and distracts us from the real issues: jobs, health, education, security, and infrastructure. The task before us is to win Bauchi for APC, not to re-litigate concluded processes.

Turning to the second statement by Musa Azare, it alleged that Governor M. A. Abubakar SAN personally revoked the land title of DAAR Communications Plc in 2016. For clarity, the revocation was an administrative action carried out by the Ministry of Works, Lands and Housing and signed by the then Honourable Commissioner, Abubakar Tatari Ali. That Ministry has the statutory responsibility to issue, monitor, and where necessary withdraw Certificates of Occupancy in line with public interest and existing laws. To attribute a Ministry’s decision personally to the Governor ten years later is to misrepresent how government functions and to politicize an administrative matter.

The statement further suggested that the revocation was connected to a sponsored programme that was critical of the administration. That remains speculation without proof. If there was any belief of abuse of office, the proper channels in 2016 were the courts, the National Human Rights Commission, and other regulatory bodies. Even the administration’s critics will admit that between 2015 and 2019, Bauchi enjoyed one of the freest media environments in recent history. Newspapers, radio, and online platforms operated without hindrance. That is not the hallmark of an authoritarian government.

There was also a personal allegation of abduction from Abuja and trial on trumped-up charges in Bauchi. Allegations of this nature have clear legal remedies. Our courts, the Police Service Commission, and other institutions are open. Raising such a serious matter now in a political statement, without a subsisting court judgment or fresh evidence, reduces it to campaign rhetoric. Justice remains available to anyone who feels wronged, and that is where such matters belong, not in press releases.

Another claim made was that the return of Barrister Abubakar would mean a return to authoritarian dictatorship. The record of 2015-2019 does not support this. That administration left billions of naira in the state coffers. It saved over a billion naira every month through civil service verification and ensured that no genuine worker was owed. It cleared inherited debts. It built roads in rural areas during two recessions without borrowing. It funded school feeding, health interventions, water projects, and World Bank counterpart funding. Authoritarian governments do not practice prudence, they do not expand services, and they do not leave treasuries better than they met them.

There has also been the insinuation that M. A. Abubakar SAN has no structure to win Bauchi for APC. Structure is measured by votes, reach, and grassroots support. You do not get 634,000 and 500,000 votes without structure. You do not win a competitive primary across 20 LGAs without a network. The argument of “no structure” was made before the primaries and was rejected by party members. The outcome has settled that debate. The structure is the people, and the people have chosen.

Finally, the suggestion that this is the time to reject M. A. Abubakar SAN and choose another direction ignores the basis of elections. Elections are about alternatives and records. On one side is a verifiable record of fiscal discipline, infrastructure, social programs, and peace. On the other side, we have not heard a blueprint, a plan, or an explanation of what will be done differently for Bauchi. The choice before the people will be based on performance, not propaganda.

The A.P.C as a political party, and in particular the National Chairman, must take urgent and necessary action against individuals who are dragging the party into public commentary after failing to adhere to the rules and regulations governing our primaries. Resorting to media briefings after the appeal window has closed does not serve the interest of the party. It weakens our unity and distracts from the task of mobilizing for victory.

Again, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, being the National Chairman of the party, must understand that their candidate cannot win any election remotely close to the office of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State. If they believe otherwise, they should furnish us with verifiable data to support that claim.

In conclusion, both statements appeared at the same time, targeted the same person, and avoided the same thing: issues. One ignored party process. The other revived a 10-year administrative matter. This is not about Bauchi’s development. It is about 2027. M. A. Abubakar SAN remains focused on service. The law provides channels for grievances. Media briefings are not one of them. The people of Bauchi will decide based on facts, records, and results. Politics tried to break him, and it failed.

Danaudi, Writes From Bauchi Via danaudicomrade@gmail.com