The unresolved internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has deepened, with prominent chieftains and former governorship and legislative aspirants resigning from the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest development has heightened concerns over the party’s internal cohesion, coming at a time when the APC is expected to consolidate its structures and reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the general elections.
Among the prominent figures to have recently resigned are the former deputy governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh; former two-time APC governorship aspirant, Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin; and Hon. Sunusi Aliyu Kunde, a close associate of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, among many others.
There are also reports that other prominent party members, including Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu, popularly known as Raba Gardama, may leave the APC, although this could not be independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The latest wave of resignations is coming despite reconciliation efforts by the APC, including those of the state reconciliation committee led by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Aggrieved members have repeatedly accused the party leadership of injustice, lack of internal democracy and alleged imposition of candidates during its primaries for the 2027 elections.
Sagir Aminu Saleh, who served as deputy governor during the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda and holds the traditional title of Majidadin Katagum, formally resigned his APC membership in a letter dated August 19, 2026.
The letter, addressed to the APC chairman of Katagum Local Government Area through the party chairman of Matsango Ward, Azare, cited personal reasons for his resignation.
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation from APC due to my personal reason. I would like to thank all the APC party members for the support they showed me while in the party,” Saleh stated.
His resignation is considered significant because of his political influence and longstanding connections within the Katagum political establishment.
Similarly, Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a two-time APC governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, announced his resignation from the party.
Jibrin, in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Nasarawa/Bakin Kasuwa Ward in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, said his resignation and withdrawal of support for the party would take immediate effect.
He attributed his decision to what he described as “brazen injustice” and the alleged imposition of candidates without regard for the views of party members.
“I came to this conclusion due mainly to the brazen injustice and imposition of candidates for elective offices with no regards to party members in Bauchi State. The views of our supporters and constituents are apparently of no consequence,” he stated.
Jibrin said he took the decision after consultations with his supporters, friends and associates, who he said endorsed his decision to leave the APC.
“After an interaction with my supporters, friends, and associates, my decision for exiting the APC was endorsed; that, it is the best option in the circumstances,” he added.
He described his resignation as “the most honourable move” rather than remaining in a party where he alleged that members were treated with contempt.
Jibrin has been one of the most vocal critics of the APC’s choice of former Bauchi State governor, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Ahead of the party’s governorship primary, he had opposed the former governor’s emergence, alleging that the process was being manipulated in favour of a particular aspirant.
