Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has clinched the APC's governorship ticket for Bauchi State in 2027. The ex-governor won the party's primary election held in the state on May 22.
Results were announced Saturday by retired Assistant Inspector General John Bassey Abang. He chaired the APC's governorship and assembly primaries committee for Bauchi.
Seven candidates competed in the race. Abubakar secured 57,517 votes to win decisively.
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, a former foreign affairs minister, placed second with 26,001 votes. Bala Maijama'a Wunti came third with 13,648 votes.
Nura Manu Soro polled 13,638 votes in the contest. Kabir Baba Maaji got 8,157 votes, while Baba Abubakar Suleiman managed 7,688 votes and Yakubu Yakubu Abdullahi scored 7,181 votes.
According to Abang, Abubakar's highest tally qualified him as the clear winner. He'll represent APC in next year's gubernatorial election.
Abang also released outcomes from the party's State House of Assembly primary held May 21. Those elections determined candidates for legislative seats across the state.
In a separate development, the African Democratic Congress has picked its guber flagbearer. Halliru Dauda Jika emerged as the ADC's candidate for 2027.
His selection happened during the party's primary exercise yesterday in Bauchi. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the proceedings.
Retired General Ishaya Bauka headed the ADC Electoral Committee overseeing the exercise. He stressed that transparency and credibility guided their selection process.
Jika ran unopposed as the sole aspirant for the position. Party delegates affirmed his candidacy without competition.
Bauka noted that three senatorial candidates also emerged unopposed and were endorsed. These candidates will fly the ADC's flag in the senate races.
Speaking after his affirmation, Jika thanked party chiefs and grassroots supporters. He promised to lead ADC to victory next year.
"By the grace of God, Bauchi State will become an ADC state in 2027," Jika declared. His words reflected confidence in his party's prospects.
Jika served as senator for Bauchi Central from 2019 to 2023. He emphasized that ADC enters the race with unity and committed followers statewide.
Bauchi ADC Chairman Shu'aibu Abdullahi Dankama expressed optimism about their chances. He praised the party's candidates as seasoned and capable operators.
Dankama said stakeholders unanimously backed Jika to boost ADC's winning prospects. His endorsement strengthens the party's preparations for the election.
Garba Dahiru Salanke won affirmation for Bauchi South Senatorial District candidacy. Abdul Ahmed Ningi was confirmed for Bauchi Central, while Nazif Gamawa got the nod for Bauchi North.
Abubakar governed Bauchi between 2015 and 2019 on the APC platform. He lost his re-election bid to Peoples Democratic Party's Bala Mohammed in 2019.
Jika previously ran for governor in 2023 under the New Nigeria People's Party. He switched to ADC before deciding to contest again next year.
