By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, ‘League of APC Support Groups’ has dismissed allegations of violation of constitutional procedures raised by Tuggar Foundation in the conduct of the last gubernatorial primaries of the party.
Addressing Journalists in reaction to the allegation, Chairman of the group, Malam Umar Faruk Bala (Sufi) supported by the Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, declared the the allegation was baseless and unfounded.
He said that, “The Tuggar Foundation and all those licking in their boots should know that, the alleged breach of Constitutional procedures during the conduct of the gubernatorial primary is baseless.”
According to him, “Both the APC Constitution and the Electoral Guidelines were strictly adhered to. Results of the primaries were collated and announced at the Collation centers. The letter written to the National Chairman on June 2, 2022 was an attempt to preempt a process that was already on course.”
The group added that, “It is unfortunate that a Foundation that claims to love APC would seek to delegitimize a process it did not participate in, in good faith. Tuggar Foundation, as the name implies, has to maintain its non partisan position, because it wasn’t registered to operate as extension of APC.”
It further stated, “Let Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and cohorts know that, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate, has never been his mate by all pedigree.*
According to him,”Under the Hon. Minister, Bauchi state is witnessing yet a magical transformation in the Health sector which cannot be compared with the achievements of all the past Ministers, put together.*
“To compete with Ali Pate is just akin to kissing a blarney stone, because, Prof. Ali Pate’s out-shining leadership qualities has spoken loud of his capacity as public figure who loves his State more than any other individual,” he added.
The group added, “We are therefore calling on Yusuf Maitama Tuggar to emulate the virtue and patriotic disposition exhibited by Prof. Ali Pate, throughout his tenure as Coordinating Minister of Health, than to stay behind under the mask and sponsoring coordinated diatribes against the person who Bauchi State cherished most, with an intent to incriminate and character assassinate him.”
He stressed, “We know that, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate would pacify his supporters to not join issues in making rejoinders to the diatribes by Tuggar Foundation.”
On the reason the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, is the people’s choice, he explained that Bauchi people have long memories between 2015 and 2019 of what Barr. Abubakar’s administration achieved including clearing the back log of over ₦20 billion salary and pension arrears he inherited, constructed over 1,600 km of roads across the State, revitalized education and health through massive intensive rural projects and ran an inclusive government that carried all sectors/sections of the State along.
According to him, “That’s why the Congress, who are the inhibitors of the party, rallied behind him. He’s not a stranger to the politics of Bauchi state. He’s a tested product. In 2027, APC needs a candidate with goodwill, recognition and capacity to win. M.A Abubakar (SAN) fits that bill perfectly.”
He stressed that, “Reconfiguring the ticket by substituting a candidate or trying to tamper with the outcome will only further compound the cracks within the structure of the party, which would appear too costly for the party to survive it.”
The group therefore used the medium to call on all aggrieved APC members in the State to sheath their swords and re-unite for the success of the party and in the best interest of the State warning that,”Other parties are waiting to capitalize on any division we create.*
He added, “We therefore extend the hands of fellowship to Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. The matter is not “do or die affair. We are urging the good people of Bauchi State to consider supporting all APC Candidates in the State, in the forthcoming elections.”
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