2027: APC clears Tuggar, Bala Wunti for Bauchi governorship race

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Bala Wunti, former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), to contest the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 Bauchi State election.

However, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has withdrawn from the race.

Buba attributed his withdrawal to alleged breaches of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and constitutional provisions guiding internal democracy.

The development is expected to reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Bauchi State, with Tuggar and Wunti now emerging as leading contenders within the ruling party.

Speaking on his vision for the state, Tuggar said that if elected, his administration would prioritise security and agricultural development.

According to him, “The issue of insecurity and how to manage and harness the farmland that we have will be a major focus.”

He added that Bauchi’s vast land resources would be effectively utilised to improve the livelihoods of farmers and herders across the state.

“The 46,000 square metres of land that Bauchi possesses will be used to ensure that subsistence farmers and herders are able to sustain themselves in a way that can be properly managed, so that people are lifted out of poverty,” he said.

“And that the land is not controlled by just a few people while the rest are pushed into poverty and desperation.”

Tuggar also stated that he was open to any mode of primary election, whether direct primaries or consensus, as long as the process remains transparent and credible.

“I hope that the process will be free and fair. Regardless of what the party chooses — whether direct primaries or consensus — what matters is that the process is transparent and fair,” he said.

In an apparent reference to direct primaries, Tuggar stressed the need for the party to present candidates with credibility and genuine grassroots support.

“It is important to ensure that we put forward people with credibility as candidates — people who command respect and enjoy genuine followership,” he added.