The Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed more than 150,000 new members in what the party described as a significant wave of political realignment across the state.
The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling party seeking to expand its grassroots structure and strengthen its presence across Bauchi.
At a major gathering of party leaders and supporters, membership registers containing the details of approximately 117,000 new entrants were formally presented by the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hon. Farouk Mustapha; a former Political Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed, Hon. Shittu Zaki; and Hassana Arkila.
The state APC chairman, Hon. Mohammed Hassan Tilde, subsequently confirmed that additional registrations and defections had pushed the number of new entrants beyond 150,000, with the figure expected to increase as more membership records are received from across the state.
The party said the latest influx cuts across different political backgrounds and social groups, describing it as evidence of growing support for the APC beyond established political blocs and individual personalities.
Among those who have reportedly joined the party is Hon. Hamza, a former chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), alongside about 20 former local government chairmen.
A former member of the House of Representatives has also joined the APC with supporters who were previously associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Other new entrants reportedly include former political office holders, grassroots organisers, community leaders, women, young people and supporters from various parts of Bauchi State.
The APC leadership said the breadth of the movement was particularly significant because it involved individuals and groups from different political affiliations coming together under the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The party credited several of its leaders and grassroots mobilisation teams with driving the expansion, specifically commending Farouk Mustapha, Shittu Zaki, Hassana Arkila and other stakeholders for their engagement with communities across the state.
The party also acknowledged the mobilisation efforts of Zainab Babban Takko and other political stakeholders whose supporters have declared their intention to join the APC.
Reasons for the New Membership
According to the Bauchi APC, some of the new members cited the performance of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the impact of Federal Government programmes and interventions in the state as reasons for their decision to join the party.
The party also highlighted the role of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, whose activities in the health sector were said to have contributed to growing confidence in the APC among some residents.
The party maintained that federal interventions reaching communities in Bauchi, particularly in the health sector, were helping to demonstrate the benefits of effective representation and government programmes.
However, the APC acknowledged that the significance of the development should not be measured solely by the number of new registrations.
The party said the newly registered members must be properly documented, integrated into existing ward and local government structures and encouraged to participate actively in the party’s activities.
The ongoing collation and verification of membership records is therefore expected to continue as additional returns come in from different parts of Bauchi.
Focus on Grassroots Structure
The latest development is expected to place greater emphasis on the APC’s grassroots organisation in Bauchi, particularly as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
The party said the new members would be welcomed as equal stakeholders and urged existing members to work with them in a spirit of unity and cooperation.
It also called on the new entrants to contribute to building what it described as a disciplined, inclusive and formidable political organisation.
The development follows earlier political movements involving the APC in Bauchi, including defections from some party members to the PRP in July. At the time, the APC dismissed the departures as limited and maintained that they would not weaken its structure or preparations for the 2027 elections.
The latest influx of new members consequently provides the party with an opportunity to demonstrate that its grassroots structure remains capable of attracting fresh supporters despite recent internal movements.
2027 Political Implications
With the 2027 elections approaching, the expansion could have implications for the political calculations in Bauchi State.
The APC is expected to use the new membership base to strengthen its ward structures, increase grassroots mobilisation and broaden its electoral reach across the state’s local government areas.
The party’s leadership, however, faces the task of converting the reported membership surge into sustained political participation and electoral support.
Membership numbers alone do not necessarily translate into votes, making effective integration, mobilisation and internal cohesion critical to the party’s strategy.
The APC said it remained open to citizens who share its stated commitment to accountable leadership, national renewal and development in Bauchi State.
The party further urged its existing members to embrace the new entrants and work collectively towards strengthening its organisation ahead of future elections.
As political realignment continues across Bauchi, the latest development is likely to intensify competition among the state’s major political parties and further shape preparations for the 2027 electoral contest.
For the APC, the immediate priority will be to verify the new registrations, integrate the entrants into its grassroots structures and turn the reported surge into a stronger and more cohesive political base across Bauchi State.