By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Sani Danaudi Mohammed, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (A.P.C), in Bauchi State, has called on all party stakeholders to respect internal mechanisms and avoid public commentary after the conclusion of the governorship primaries.
This follows recent statements by the Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Foundation rejecting the outcome of the primaries on grounds that it “does not reflect the genuine wishes of the people of Bauchi State.”
Sani Danaudi Mohammed said such grievances ought to have been channeled through the party’s Appeal Panel within the time provided by the A.P.C Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He noted that the window for filing appeals has long elapsed and that INEC has duly authenticated the party’s flagbearer.
According to him, holding media briefings at this stage cannot reverse a process that has been concluded in accordance with party rules.
“The law is clear. Once due process is closed, the next step is to unite and work for victory. Public statements at this point are not an appeal. They are commentary, and they do not serve the interest of the party,” he said.
Sani Danaudi Mohammed also responded to the claim that the people of Bauchi are asking for “a new direction” and that bringing back Barrister M. A. Abubakar SAN is not in line with their aspirations.
He cited INEC’s verified results, stating that M. A. Abubakar SAN polled 634,000 votes in 2015 and over 500,000 votes in 2019.
“That is more than one million votes across two election cycles. No other aspirant in this contest can point to that kind of mandate. The people have spoken, and it is not correct to claim to speak for them when the records are there,” he added.
On the issue of advocacy, Sani Danaudi Mohammed said the interest of Bauchi State is best served through unity and issue-based engagement at this critical time.
He stressed that the focus should be on rallying behind the duly nominated candidate and marketing the Renewed Hope Agenda to the electorate.
“Issuing divisive statements weakens the party and distracts us from real issues: jobs, health, education, security, and infrastructure. Our task is to win Bauchi for A.P.C, not to re-litigate concluded processes,” he stated.
He further dismissed insinuations that M. A. Abubakar SAN lacks the structure to deliver Bauchi for the A.P.C.
Sani Danaudi Mohammed argued that structure is measured by votes, reach, and grassroots support.
“You do not get 634,000 and 500,000 votes without structure. You do not win a competitive primary across 20 LGAs without a network. That argument was made before the primaries and was rejected by party members. The outcome has settled it,” he said.
Sani Danaudi Mohammed also called on the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to take urgent and necessary action against individuals dragging the A.P.C into public commentary after failing to adhere to party rules.
He said such actions undermine party unity and divert attention from mobilization. “If anyone believes their candidate can win an election close to the office of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, they should furnish us with verifiable data to support that claim,” he added.
The A.P.C in Bauchi State, has noted that the Gubernatorial candidate himself, M. A. Abubakar SAN, is currently reaching out personally to members who feel aggrieved.
He added that the A.P.C as a political party is also making headway to reconcile its members ahead of the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the process is aimed at strengthening unity and ensuring that all stakeholders work together to deliver Bauchi State for the party.
He further noted that the A.P.C candidate is formidable on ground and can win convincingly for the party in Bauchi. Mohammed said distractors should not be allowed to continue pursuing selfish interests at the expense of party unity.
“We must not allow individuals who failed to follow due process to derail our progress. The focus now should be on reconciliation, mobilization, and victory for the A.P.C in Bauchi,” he said.
According to him ,the timing of the statements suggests the focus is on 2027 rather than the immediate election.
He maintained that M. A. Abubakar SAN remains focused on service and that the people of Bauchi will decide based on facts, records, and performance.
“The law provides channels for grievances. Media briefings are not one of them. Politics tried to break him before, and it failed. The electorate will again decide based on what is verifiable,” he concluded.
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