Allegation Of Manipulation Rocks APC Reps’ Primary In Bauchi Constituency

A former women’s leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Hajiya Sa’adatu Mamuda, has asked the leadership of the party to ensure fairness and justice for Hajiya Badi’atu Inuwa Siyama, the only female aspirant contesting for the House of Representatives seat for Bauchi Federal Constituency.

Hajiya Mamuda made the appeal on Saturday night while addressing a press conference in Bauchi alongside other supporters of the aspirant.

She explained that the party had announced that the primary election for House of Representatives aspirants would be held on Saturday, prompting hundreds of women supporters to troop out early in the morning to cast their votes for Siyama.

According to her, the supporters waited from about 8:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. but did not see any electoral officials or election materials at the polling units they visited, as she alleged irregularities.

She said the group monitored several polling units, including Makama Sarkin Baki, Bakari Dukku, Yamrat Dandango, Liman Katagum and Birshi Miri, where they allegedly found no electoral officers or voting materials.

Hajiya Sa’adatu appealed to the national, state and local government leadership of the APC to intervene and ensure fairness to all aspirants in the process.

She further urged the party leadership that if a consensus arrangement would eventually be adopted, the ticket should be given to Hajiya Badi’atu Inuwa Siyama as the only female aspirant in the race, in the interest of justice, fairness and inclusion.

Also speaking, a supporter of the aspirant, Fatima Abdullahi Ibrahim, expressed concern over what she described as irregularities in the conduct of the primary election.

“We were informed that the primary election would take place on May 16, 2026. However, when we went to our local ward, we did not see any electoral officials or party agents showing readiness to conduct the exercise. This has raised serious concerns among supporters and party members,” she said.

Fatima called on the leadership of the APC at the local, state and national levels to ensure transparency and justice in the process.

She appealed to the party to give women an opportunity to represent the people, noting that women possess the competence, leadership qualities and capacity needed to serve effectively.

“For many years, leadership positions have been dominated by men. We believe this is the time to give women a chance to contribute meaningfully and bring positive change. We are only asking for fairness, transparency and justice,” she added.

As of Sunday afternoon, neither the party’s electoral committee for the House of Representatives primary election nor the Bauchi State chapter of the APC had officially announced the results of the exercise.

Also, all efforts by our correspondent to obtain comments from APC leaders or members of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, in Bauchi regarding allegations of manipulation and irregularities were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.