Bauchi Guber: APC Will Use ‘Option A4’ If Consensus Fails — Isa Yuguda

Former Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, has downplayed reports of internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, insisting that the party remains united despite increasing competition among governorship aspirants ahead of the next election.

Yuguda, who stated this in ARISE Television, said the inability to immediately agree on a consensus candidate should not be misconstrued as a sign of disunity, noting that party elders and caucus members have already taken steps to address the situation.

“I’m not aware that not being able to produce a candidate has become a problem. There’s no serious issue,” he stated. “We have set up a committee to engage all aspirants with a view to reaching an amicable resolution. I’m confident we will arrive at a successful outcome.”

He explained that while consensus remains the preferred option, the party has a clear alternative if that effort does not succeed.

“The party’s position is simple: if consensus does not work, we will adopt ‘Option A4,’ also known as direct primaries. So, it’s not as contentious as it may appear,” Yuguda added.

On the question of leading contenders, the former governor declined to endorse any aspirant, emphasizing his role as an elder within the party.

“As an elder and caucus member, I cannot take sides. All of them are my candidates,” he said, expressing optimism that the process would produce a strong flag-bearer capable of winning the election.

Yuguda acknowledged the growing number of influential aspirants but maintained that the party leadership is capable of managing the situation effectively.

“We are up to the task. This is a competitive environment, but we believe we will emerge stronger,” he assured.

He also expressed confidence in the maturity of the aspirants, noting that they understand the nature of political contests and would accept the outcome of a fair process.

“This is a race—someone will win, and others will lose. They are experienced politicians who will accept the outcome in good faith if the process is transparent,” he said.

Speaking on governance in Bauchi State, Yuguda defended his tenure, claiming that key challenges such as healthcare deficits and the high number of out-of-school children were significantly addressed during his administration.

“I left behind about 22 well-equipped hospitals with modern facilities, including MRI and CT scan machines, as well as functional schools with adequate staffing and feeding programs,” he said.

He questioned why similar challenges persist despite increased federal allocations to states, arguing that Bauchi now receives significantly higher monthly revenues than during his time in office.

“During our tenure, the state received less than ₦7 billion monthly. Today, it’s between ₦15 billion and ₦20 billion. With prudent management and sincerity of purpose, much more should have been achieved. It all comes down to leadership,” he argued.

On zoning, Yuguda acknowledged the importance of equity in rotating political power across senatorial districts but stressed that electoral realities often determine outcomes.

“In an ideal situation, there should be rotation. But politics is also about numbers. If one zone has a stronger voting base, it may naturally produce the candidate,” he explained.

He added that while fairness may support calls for power rotation to Bauchi North, political parties are ultimately driven by the need to win elections.

“At the end of the day, the focus is on electability. People are more concerned about competence than zoning,” he said.

Addressing speculation about a possible defection by Governor Bala Mohammed to the APC, Yuguda said he could not confirm such moves but noted that the party remains open.

“I’m not aware of that, but he is welcome,” he said.

On reports of negotiations and potential power-sharing arrangements, Yuguda declined to comment, stating that such decisions fall within the purview of the party’s national leadership.