Some aspirants who lost out in the just-concluded All Progressives Congress governorship and legislative primaries have dumped the party, amid allegations of injustice, imposition of candidates and lack of internal democracy.
A former Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, resigned his membership of the APC over his loss during the APC governorship primaries.
Two serving senators from Bauchi State and a member of the House of Representatives from Kano State led the wave of defections from the APC to the Peoples Redemption Party and the National Democratic Congress.
The defectors include the senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, who lost the APC governorship ticket, and Sama’ila Dahuwa of Bauchi North Senatorial District, who failed in his bid to secure a second-term ticket to the National Assembly.
The defectors accused the APC leadership of injustice, candidate imposition and the undermining of internal democracy during the conduct of primaries for governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly positions.
Adamu formally submitted his letter of resignation on Monday to the executives of the Makama ward in Lafia, the state capital.
He said, “Today I address my letter to you, the ward executives, especially the ward chairman, of my decision to resign from the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect.
“This decision was not taken lightly. However, recent developments within the party, especially the conduct of the governorship primary election processes in Nasarawa State, have made it difficult for me to continue with my political activities under the platform of the party.”
Adamu explained that internal democracy, fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for aspirants and members, which guided the affairs of any democratic political party, did not reflect the party’s principles.
“I strongly believe that internal democracy, fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for aspirants and members guide the affairs of any democratic political party.
“Unfortunately, the events surrounding the primary election did not reflect this principle and have led to a loss of confidence in the party’s leadership and the processes in the state.
“After wide consultations with supporters, political associates and family members, I have decided to withdraw my membership to pursue my political aspirations through another platform,” he noted.
His resignation sparked protests among his supporters, with many seen in viral videos online burning the broom, the symbol of the APC.
Senator Buba, announcing his defection through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Sabo Muhammad, alleged that no direct primary election was conducted in Bauchi State.
He claimed candidates emerged through “selection and imposition” rather than a democratic process.
The senator had, a day before the APC governorship primaries, withdrawn from the contest, alleging that the process had already been compromised.
He cited alleged plans to manipulate the outcome through imposition rather than a free and fair exercise.
Since the conclusion of the primaries, several aspirants and stakeholders have resigned from the APC, citing a lack of transparency and violations of internal democracy.
Among them is the member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency, Bala Kashuri, who announced his resignation with immediate effect.
Kashuri, who sought re-election but lost the party ticket, communicated his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC Chairman of Kaoffice Ward in Itas/Gadau Local Government Area.
According to him, the decision followed careful reflection.
Similarly, an aspirant for the Katagum Federal Constituency, Tijjani Aliyu, resigned from the party, alleging that the primaries were marred by predetermined results, vote allocation and gross violations of party guidelines.
In a letter addressed to the APC ward chairman in Madangala Ward, Katagum Local Government Area, Aliyu said his resignation was prompted by recent developments in the party.
“This decision follows recent developments regarding party activities, particularly the conduct of the 2026 primaries for various elective positions,” he stated.
At the state level, Sulaiman Lalaye, an aspirant for the Bauchi State House of Assembly, also announced his resignation from the APC, citing persistent irregularities and injustice within the party.
Lalaye formally withdrew his candidacy and terminated his membership in the APC.
“In addition, I wish to officially tender my resignation and terminate my membership in the APC. This decision follows careful consideration and extensive personal consultations,” his letter read.
In a related development, Sani Muhammad, an aspirant for the Dass State Constituency seat, was also reported to have defected from the party.