Ex-IG Adamu and Bauchi Senators Dump APC Over Primary Losses

ABUJA — Former Inspector-General of Police Abubakar Adamu has announced his departure from the All Progressives Congress following his defeat in the party’s senatorial primary. Several serving and former senators from Bauchi State have also dumped the APC, citing what they describe as a lack of internal democracy and gross injustice in the primary process.

Adamu, who served as Inspector-General from 2019 to 2023, had contested the APC senatorial primary for a Bauchi zone. His defeat in the primary prompted him to publicly declare his exit from the party. He said the primary process was manipulated and did not reflect the genuine preferences of party delegates.

“What happened in the Bauchi primaries was not democracy. It was a carefully orchestrated injustice. I cannot remain in a party that treats its members with such contempt,” Adamu said in a statement issued on Monday.

Several senators and former legislators from Bauchi State announced their own departures alongside Adamu. The collective exit represents a significant fragment of Bauchi APC’s established political class abandoning the party in the wake of primary grievances.

A Pattern Across Nigeria

The Bauchi defections are part of a wider pattern emerging from the APC primary season. Across multiple states, losing aspirants have either filed appeals, threatened legal action, or announced their departure from the party. The scale of post-primary grievances is unusually large, even by Nigerian standards.

Political analysts say the APC’s governor-centric primary model produces strong results for the party in the short term, by ensuring governorship allies win legislative tickets, but creates long-term cohesion problems. Losers with strong local followings can become spoilers in the general election if they defect to rival parties or run as independents.

Furthermore, INEC’s rules allow candidates to contest elections as independents if they are aggrieved by their party’s primary process. Some of the Bauchi defectors are believed to be exploring this option, which could split the APC vote in several legislative constituencies.

Where Will They Go?

Adamu and his colleagues have not yet announced which party or platform they intend to move to. Opposition parties including the PDP, ADC, and Labour Party are all expected to reach out to the defectors. The timing of their departure, weeks before INEC’s May 30 deadline, gives them a narrow window to join another party and still be fielded as candidates.

The APC national secretariat said it is aware of the defections and will work to resolve internal grievances through the party’s reconciliation mechanisms. National Chairman Yilwatda said the party remains strong and that losses in primaries are a natural part of competitive internal democracy.

However, political observers said the scale of the defections, including a former Inspector-General of Police, signals a level of internal discontent that could have tangible electoral consequences if not managed carefully before the 2027 campaigns begin.