Aggrieved Bauchi APC aspirants protest post-primary neglect

A group of aspirants who contested in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for the Bauchi State House of Assembly have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the party's alleged neglect following their defeat. Operating under the banner of the Bauchi State House of Assembly 2026 APC Aspirants Forum, they held a press briefing in Bauchi on Monday to articulate their grievances.

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This press conference is not a product of bitterness, hostility or opposition to our great party. It is motivated by our sincere desire to see the APC emerge stronger and better positioned to secure victory in the forthcoming general elections.

Gazali Wunti, speaking for the forum, emphasized that their intervention stems from a desire to strengthen the APC for the upcoming general elections, not from bitterness. He stated that many aspirants and their supporters felt let down by the primaries, which they claimed lacked competitiveness and democratic principles. Wunti noted that this dissatisfaction has already led to a wave of defections to other political parties, a development he described as a significant loss for the APC.

The forum, however, has chosen to remain within the party and pursue a path of constructive engagement. They commended the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Working Committee for initiating a review of the primary election process, seeing it as an acknowledgment of the potential damage unresolved grievances can inflict on the party's electoral prospects. The aspirants are calling for this review to be thorough, transparent, and just, ensuring that genuine complaints are addressed to foster reconciliation.

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We respectfully urge that the review process be thorough, transparent, courageous and just. Let genuine grievances be fairly heard and appropriately addressed because that can birth genuine reconciliation.

Furthermore, the aspirants are demanding greater inclusion in all levels of party affairs, including campaign structures, consultations, appointments, and decision-making processes. They stressed that their demand is not for favors but for fairness, recognition, and inclusion, aiming to restore confidence and unity within the APC.

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Our demand is not for favours but for inclusion, fairness, recognition an