Bauchi APC Consensus: Grassroots Credibility Over Elite Imposition

By Sabiu Zaranda

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State deepens its search for a consensus candidate ahead of the forthcoming general elections, a strong call has emerged for the party to place credibility, transparency, and widespread acceptability above elite-driven arrangements.

Politics in Bauchi is deeply local, and history has shown that candidates perceived as imposed by a few powerful figures often fail at the polls, regardless of internal party success.

Why Consensus Alone May Not Guarantee Victory

While consensus is intended to promote unity and reduce pre-election risks, analysts warn it could backfire if the chosen candidate lacks genuine grassroots support. In such cases, the party risks winning the nomination but losing the general election.

Bauchi’s electoral record supports this caution. Since the return of democracy, opposition forces have triumphed in two of seven election cycles by capitalising on public rejection of perceived elite choices.

• In 2007, a candidate heavily endorsed by Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu was rejected by voters in favour of the ANPP, a decision that also affected Mu’azu’s Senate bid.
• In 2015, despite incumbency advantages and financial inducements, Bauchi voters dumped the PDP and denied Isa Yuguda a return to the Senate.

The clear message from these elections: imposition, even when disguised as consensus, does not work in Bauchi.

Questions Over Some APC Leaders’ Suitability

The article expresses reservations among many APC loyalists about allowing certain prominent figures to influence or emerge as the consensus candidate, citing their track records:

• Barr. M.A. Abubakar, SAN: Former APC governor who won in 2015 with support from legacy parties but later adopted a winner-takes-all style that fractured the party, contributing to its 2019 loss. In 2023, he openly backed the PDP against the APC candidate.
• Malam Isa Yuguda: A serial party hopper (seven changes recorded) who won under ANPP in 2007, defected back to PDP, and has since lost two Senate contests. Many candidates he supported have also struggled.
• Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate: Entered Bauchi politics in 2014 and has switched parties five times. Often criticised for depending on patronage rather than building organic popularity.
• Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara: Former House Speaker who has moved between PDP and APC multiple times. He played a visible role in APC’s 2019 defeat in the state and criticised the party’s 2023 strategy.

The Standout Candidate

In contrast, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs and a leading aspirant, is presented as the candidate with the strongest credentials. Tuggar is noted for his long-standing consistency within the opposition, from his ANPP days in 2007 to his strategic role in the formation of the APC. He is widely seen as competent and acceptable across various sections of the state.

A Call for Fairness and Loyalty

The writer recalls how loyal party members were frequently marginalised after previous opposition victories — citing the impeachment of Garba Gadi and the resignation of Nuhu Gidado as painful examples. Such experiences, it argues, have made genuine APC members more determined to prevent a repeat.

The article concludes that those managing the consensus process must prioritise the interest of Bauchi State and its people above personal or group agendas. Rewarding proven loyalty and competence, it says, remains the best path to victory.