Politics

Bauchi 2027: South’s political stronghold, poor grassroots support pose hurdles for Ali Pat

Published

6 months ago

January 8, 2026

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As the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State approaches, attention is gradually shifting to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, who is widely believed to be weighing a bid for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

Several politicians in the state are already positioning themselves for the 2027 contest. Among those quietly exploring the possibility is Pate, who is not new to Bauchi’s political space and remains a familiar figure in governorship calculations

Political observers are divided on whether the former Minister of State for Health and respected technocrat can secure the party’s ticket, given the complexity of Bauchi politics.

Pate’s governorship ambition dates back to 2015, when he expressed interest in contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During that period, he promised to create one million jobs by 2020, prioritise youth and women participation, improve fiscal management, and attract private sector investment. He, however, lost at the party primaries.

He made further attempts in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and again in 2023 under the APC, but failed to secure the ticket on both occasions.

One major obstacle confronting Pate’s 2027 ambition is Bauchi’s political history. Bauchi Central, where he comes from, has never produced a governor since the return to democracy in 1999. Instead, power has rotated mainly between Bauchi South and Bauchi North, leaving the Central zone without a winning precedent.

Zoning and power-sharing play a major role in Bauchi politics, and party leaders often rely on historical patterns when selecting candidates. Critics argue that the absence of a Central zone governor weakens its political claim and could be used against aspirants from the area.

Despite his strong technocratic profile and international reputation, Pate will need to build alliances across the three senatorial zones. He must convince party leaders, traditional rulers, and grassroots voters that his candidacy represents unity rather than a break from accepted norms.

Although his competence is rarely questioned, analysts believe the lack of a Central zone governorship record makes his journey more difficult than that of aspirants from zones with stronger historical backing.

Bauchi South has dominated the
governorship for over two decades, benefiting from its population size and number of local government areas. The zone controls about 63 per cent of the state’s votes.

All governors since 1999, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu (PDP), Isa Yuguda (APC), Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (APC), and the incumbent Governor Bala Mohammed (PDP) are from Bauchi South.

Traditionally, when the governor emerges from the South, the deputy comes from the North, while the Secretary to the State Government is selected from the Central zone.

The only time Bauchi North produced a governor was between 1979 and 1983, when Abubakar Tatari Ali served as the first civilian governor before his tenure was ended by the December 31, 1983 military coup.

Pate hails from Misau Local Government Area in Bauchi Central, a zone with moderate population strength, which may limit his electoral influence.

However, observers note that his father, Malam Aliyu, a respected academic and philanthropist built goodwill across Bauchi and northern Nigeria, a legacy that still benefits Pate.

Political analysts say Pate’s image has changed over time. He was once seen as distant, unwilling to invest heavily in grassroots politics, and accused by some former allies of abandoning supporters. But since becoming Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, his approach appears to have shifted.

“He has reportedly committed significant funds to party activities in Bauchi, improving his standing among politicians,” said Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa, a lecturer at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic.

Yelwa added that federal projects linked to Pate, such as the Federal College of Nursing in Misau and the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre in Azare to a teaching hospital, have created jobs and strengthened local support.

However, Yelwa noted that challenges remain. “Some long-time allies feel neglected and have left his camp. If not addressed, this could hurt his ambition.”

Within the APC, party structure also poses a challenge. While Pate has supported the party financially at intervals, other stakeholders who consistently fund and sustain the party may have more influence during primaries.

Analysts also note that technocrats like Pate are often viewed as threats by established grassroots politicians who fear reforms could disrupt existing political systems.

National factors also come into play. Although President Bola Tinubu leads the APC, analysts doubt that federal influence alone can determine outcomes in Bauchi. The 2023 elections showed that Bauchi South’s numerical strength remains decisive.

Moreso, public dissatisfaction with policies such as fuel subsidy removal and rising hardship among farmers may further weaken the APC’s appeal.

Pate will also face strong competition within the party. Senator Shehu Umar Buba of Bauchi South is widely seen as a leading contender, actively building support and mobilising resources. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is also mentioned as a possible aspirant, alongside former governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and businessman Nura Manu Soro.

Observers describe Pate’s ambition as both hopeful and risky. His federal influence, health-sector reforms, and international experience are advantages, but weak grassroots ties and Bauchi South’s dominance remain serious challenges.

Another analyst who spoke in confidence with DAILY POST said Pate understands Bauchi politics but struggles to maintain long-term loyalty. “Many do not see him as a full-time politician,” he said.

Analysts warn that Bauchi politics often works against technocrats, as entrenched interests may resist leaders perceived as reform-minded.

Unless Bauchi adopts a clear power-rotation agreement, similar to Plateau State, analysts believe Bauchi South will continue to dominate the governorship.

On Pate’s chances, opinions remain cautious. “He may secure the ticket, or he may not. Even if he does, winning the general election is not guaranteed,” one analyst said.

However, supporters like Umar Musa, Secretary-General of the Primary School Old Boys Association of Bakaro/Dangikka, believe Pate stands out.

“Bauchi needs leadership with vision and experience. Professor Pate has the capacity to improve healthcare, education, agriculture, and job creation,” Musa said, pledging support if Pate joins the race.

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Politics

Rivers 2027: Court dismisses suit against NDC, clears way for Lulu-Briggs

Published

32 minutes ago

July 8, 2026

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A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has struck out a suit challenging the emergence of Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

An aspirant of the NDC, Kings Unyeawaji, filed the suit against the party, its chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Lulu-Briggs, alleging that he was excluded from the party’s governorship primary and seeking to nullify Lulu-Briggs’ emergence as the party’s candidate.

Ibim Dokubo, counsel to Lulu-Briggs, challenged both the jurisdiction of the court and the plaintiff’s locus standi.

According to him, the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he did not participate in the governorship primary.

Dokubo also argued that the statutory 14-day period within which complaints arising from party primaries can be filed had elapsed before the action was commenced.

When the matter came up before Justice Muhammed Turaki, counsel to the plaintiff applied to discontinue the suit. The application was not opposed by the defendants, following which the court struck out the case.

Reacting to the development, Lulu-Briggs commended the plaintiff for allowing the matter to end peacefully and urged political actors to embrace the same spirit during the 2027 elections.

“I thank him for allowing the matter to rest. My hope is that in 2027, everyone who contests the election will accept the outcome in good faith.

“We are all Rivers people. There are no monsters among us. Let us go to the field, contest on a level playing ground, and allow the people to decide,” Lulu-Briggs said.

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Politics

Kano APC denies Kwankwasiyya’s claims of massive defection

Published

1 hour ago

July 8, 2026

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The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims that some of its members in Kumbotso Local Government Area defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that the party remains united in the area.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Soja, described the reports as false and accused the Kwankwasiyya movement of spreading misinformation to distract from its internal challenges.

According to him, the individuals presented as defectors were not recognised by the party’s leadership in Kumbotso.

Soja said APC members in the local government were satisfied with development projects being carried out by President Bola Tinubu, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and the Kaduna-Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway, both of which pass through parts of the area.

He also said party members appreciated Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for attracting investments to Kumbotso to boost economic activities and create jobs for young people.

“The party stakeholders and loyalists in Kumbotso are satisfied with the infrastructural projects being executed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Soja said.

The APC spokesperson urged the Kwankwasiyya movement to focus on resolving its own internal issues instead of spreading what he described as baseless propaganda.

“The average Kano voter can no longer entrust their future to the political gimmicks and selfish interests of the Kwankwasiyya movement,” he said.

The party also called on residents to ignore social media reports claiming that APC members in Kumbotso had joined the NDC, maintaining that its structure in the area remains intact.

The statement followed reports circulating online that some APC members had dumped the party for the NDC in Kumbotso.

However, the spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya movement, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, disagreed with the APC’s position, insisting that defections from the ruling party to the NDC were continuing across Kano State.

“The defection of APC members to the NDC in the state is a daily phenomenon,” Mohammed said.

He added that photographs of recent political events supported the claims of defections.

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Politics

Ogun ADC dismisses report disowning Ogundipe, backing Jimi Lawal

Published

3 hours ago

July 8, 2026

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The Ogun State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dismissed reports claiming that it disowned Biodun Collins Ogundipe as its 2027 governorship candidate and endorsed Jimi Lawal.

The party described the claims as false and misleading.

Acording to the party, the report was a deliberate attempt to distort facts surrounding the conduct of the ADC governorship primary election in the state.

DAILY POST had reported that the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Adeniyi Adams, declared Ogundipe as the winner of the primary election after he polled the highest number of votes.

According to the official results announced, Biodun Collins Ogundipe polled 9,370 votes, while Jimi Lawal secured 6,812 votes and Marie Odusina, 2,349 votes.

However, on Wednesday, a report was circulated online claiming that the state leadership was unaware of any primary election that produced Ogundipe as the party’s governorship candidate.

It also alleged that Ogundipe was being used by unnamed individuals to disrupt the party and undermine its chances in the 2027 general election.

Reacting, the Ogun ADC State Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, in a statement on Wednesday, said a re-run was conducted in some areas during collation to ensure fairness and credibility, but that did not amount to a fresh primary.

The statement reads, “There was only one duly conducted governorship primary election of the African Democratic Congress in Ogun State.

“All three aspirants, Biodun Collins Ogundipe, Jimi Lawal, and Marie Odusina participated in that single primary election. There was no separate or parallel primary election.

“During the collation process, issues affecting some areas necessitated a re-run, which was agreed to by the stakeholders as part of completing the same primary election.

“A re-run is not a fresh primary election. It is merely a continuation of the same electoral process to ensure fairness and credibility.

“Unfortunately, before the duly constituted Electoral Committee concluded and formally announced the final outcome, certain individuals who were not members of the Electoral Committee purported to announce Otunba Jimi Lawal as the winner.

“No unauthorized declaration can override the decision of the committee vested with that responsibility.”

The statement further faulted the announcement of Jimi Lawal as winner, noting that those behind the action lacked the authority of the committee legally empowered to declare the result of the primary election.

“That announcement lacked the authority of the committee legally empowered to declare the result of the primary election. The announcement made by persons without authority cannot supersede the declaration of the committee empowered to conduct and announce the results of the primary election.

“If Otunba Jimi Lawal was the undisputed winner of the governorship primary as now claimed by the Soluade group, why has he instituted legal proceedings against the African Democratic Congress, Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, and INEC?” the party asked.

The party urged all parties to allow the court to determine the matter rather than resort to media propaganda.

“Political disagreements should be resolved through lawful and constitutional means, not through media propaganda. The ADC remains committed to internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law.

“We urge party members and the general public to disregard misleading narratives intended to rewrite the facts. The issues in dispute are already before a court of competent jurisdiction, and we have confidence that justice will prevail,” the statement added

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