- …accuses Health Minister, Pate of handpicking candidates
By Musa Baba Adamu
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Bauchi State, alleging that the process was influenced by powerful interests within the party.
Tuggar, who recently resigned from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his governorship ambition, claimed that the APC primary fell short of the free and fair process he had expected.
The former minister made the allegations in an interview with DC Hausa, monitored in Abuja, following the emergence of former Bauchi State Governor, , as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Peoples Daily reports that Abubakar was declared winner of the primary after polling 57,517 votes, ahead of Tuggar, who secured 26,001 votes. Other aspirants in the contest included Nura Manu Soro, Bala Wunti and Kabir Ma’aji.
Tuggar alleged that long before delegates cast their votes, signals had emerged suggesting that the outcome of the primary had already been determined.
According to him, APC National Chairman, , had publicly indicated that Abubakar would become the party’s candidate in Bauchi.
The former minister also accused Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, , of interfering in the party’s affairs in the state and imposing candidates on members.
He further alleged that Pate met with President to lobby against his emergence as the APC governorship candidate.
“The minister from our state met with Mr President and begged him not to allow me become the candidate in Bauchi State,” Tuggar claimed.
He argued that political contests should be decided through open campaigns and votes rather than through the influence of powerful individuals.
Tuggar also questioned why Pate did not resign and join the race if he was interested in determining the party’s direction in the state, noting that the President had directed cabinet members seeking elective office to step down before the deadline.
According to him, the alleged lack of internal democracy is responsible for the growing discontent within the APC and the departure of several prominent politicians from the party.
The former minister appealed to President Tinubu to investigate what he described as injustice within the Bauchi APC, warning that unresolved grievances could weaken the party ahead of future elections.
Despite his criticism of the process, Tuggar maintained that democratic competition should allow party members and voters to freely determine who emerges as candidate without interference from political heavyweights.
