A political group under the aegis of the Bauchi Grassroots Movement for Good Governance has criticised the withdrawal of Senator Shehu Buba Umar from the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Bauchi State, describing the action as premature and unjustified.
Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary scheduled to hold on Thursday, citing alleged violations of the APC constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
The senator also alleged that the APC in Bauchi State was facing a serious leadership crisis affecting key offices within the State Executive Committee, including the positions of State Secretary and Organising Secretary.
According to him, the crisis surrounding the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses had created legal and political complications within the party.
He further expressed concerns over what he described as a lack of clear information regarding electoral officials, venue and timing of the primary election, alleging that the party structure had been hijacked.
Reacting to the development in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Munir Ahmed Sambo, the Bauchi Grassroots Movement for Good Governance said Senator Buba’s withdrawal appeared to be a “preemptive move” rather than a genuine protest against the process.
The group argued that the senator, as a serving federal lawmaker, should understand that the people of Bauchi State are politically aware and cannot be swayed by narratives aimed at attracting sympathy.
“It is evident that Senator Shehu Buba may have foreseen the reality ahead and decided to withdraw before the contest,” the statement said.
The group questioned whether the senator had been screened and cleared by the party’s screening committee, arguing that if he was duly cleared, it would be difficult to conclude that the process had become unfair before the election was conducted.
The statement also recalled that the same APC platform provided Senator Buba the opportunity to contest and win election into the Senate in 2022.
While acknowledging that every aspirant has the constitutional right to contest or withdraw from an election, the group urged political actors to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public comments, particularly at a sensitive political period.
The group further called for issue-based politics anchored on democratic principles, unity and maturity rather than actions capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process.
