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A wave of political defections has rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State following the fallout of its 2026 primaries, as several lawmakers, former candidates, and party chieftains dumped the party over allegations of irregularities and lack of internal democracy.Politics

The development has seen prominent politicians, including Senators and members of the House of Representatives, resigning their membership of the APC and joining opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Leading the latest defections is the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, who announced his resignation from the APC and formally joined the PRP after withdrawing from the party’s governorship primary, which he said was marred by irregularities.

He was followed by the Senator representing Bauchi North, Samaila Kaila Dahuwa, who also exited the APC after losing his return ticket, citing lack of fairness and internal democracy within the party.

In his resignation statement, Buba Umar accused the APC of “absence of internal democracy, marginalisation of genuine party members, and disregard for grassroots voices,” adding that his move to the PRP followed extensive consultations with political associates, youth groups, women organizations, and stakeholders across Bauchi State.

According to him, the PRP offers a more people-focused platform anchored on justice, transparency, and accountability, stressing that his new political direction is aimed at strengthening democratic governance and improving the welfare of citizens.

“Our people deserve better governance, better opportunities, and leadership that truly listens,” he said, urging his supporters to join him in building a stronger movement within the PRP.

The wave of defections also includes members of the National Assembly. The lawmaker representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency, Rabilu Bala Kashuri, resigned from the APC after failing to secure a reelection ticket.

Similarly, former deputy governorship candidate and ex-lawmaker, Shehu Aliyu Musa, also dumped the party, citing poor leadership, injustice, and lack of cohesion among APC stakeholders in the state.

In another resignation, former Bauchi State House of Assembly Majority Leader and aspirant for Katagum Federal Constituency, Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, accused the APC primaries of being predetermined, alleging vote allocation and violations of party guidelines.

He described the process as a “selection exercise” rather than a democratic primary, saying it undermined the founding principles of the party.

Also leaving the party is traditional titleholder and politician, Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, who condemned the primaries as unfair and discriminatory, while accusing the party of failing to conduct direct primaries in his constituency.

Another aspirant, Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye, resigned from the APC, stating that his decision was based on persistent irregularities and injustice within the party structure.

He formally notified the party of his withdrawal from the House of Assembly race, adding that he could no longer continue under what he described as a compromised system.

Similarly, Rabi’u Abubakar Bishi also announced his resignation, citing internal crises and unfair treatment of members.

He said his exit was necessary to remain committed to his principles of good governance and political integrity.

Across Bauchi State, aggrieved APC members continue to accuse the party of lacking transparency in its primary elections, alleging that candidates were imposed rather than elected through proper democratic processes.

As the political tension deepens, observers say the mass defections could significantly reshape the political landscape in Bauchi ahead of the next general elections.

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The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has paid a get-well visit to two gallant officers of the Agency currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja.

The officers: Ayegh Dooyun Zachariah and Shehu Jamil Ibrahim, sustained severe injuries following a violent mob attack on them during a raid on a notorious drug joint in the Dawaki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Friday, 15th May 2026.

During his visit to their bedsides on Monday 25th May, Marwa sympathized with the injured officers and extended the support of the entire NDLEA management. He assured them that the Agency will take full responsibility for their welfare, ensuring they receive the highest standard of medical care until they are fully recovered and back on their feet.

“The Agency will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible for this cowardly attack are arrested, and brought to justice. An attack on our officers is an attack on the state, and it will not go unpunished,” Marwa stated while assuring the officers that they will get justice.

He commended the duo for their exceptional bravery, unalloyed commitment to duty, and outstanding professionalism displayed during the high-risk Dawaki operation. He emphasized that their sacrifices in the ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remain invaluable to the nation.

To further motivate the officers and recognize their heroism, the NDLEA boss’ visit was backed by the immediate roll-out of incentives including the presentation of official Letters of Commendation personally signed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, alongside other support packages to aid their swift recovery.

He also praised the Agency’s medical team and their counterparts at the National Hospital for their prompt response and proper care that have since stabilised the injured officers.

Marwa assured the public that the NDLEA remains resolute in its mission to dismantle drug cartels and sanitize communities across the country, undeterred by violent resistance from criminal elements.

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Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has faulted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, over its earlier decision to withhold services from 11 domestic airlines pending the settlement of their outstanding financial obligations.

Director of Finance and Accounts of NCAA, Olufemi Odukoya, in a memo dated May 22, 2026, obtained by Vanguard, had listed the affected airlines as Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NGeagle Airline, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air and ValueJet.

While the NCAA has temporarily suspended the directive, AON, in a statement, disclosed that all services rendered by NCAA to domestic airline operators were fully paid for in advance on a cash-before-service basis.

AON, however, clarified that what the NCAA described as outstanding charges relates to the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge, TSC, which is different from regulatory service fees.

They also urged Federal Government to amend the Civil Aviation Act to empower the NCAA to directly collect appropriate fees and charges from passengers, saying the measure should take effect from June 1, 2026.

The statement reads: “The AON wishes to make it clear that all cost recovery services rendered by the NCAA to domestic airline operators are paid for fully in advance on a cash-before-service basis.

“For clarity, the NCAA issues an invoice for every regulatory service it provides, whether for the validation of crew operating licences, aircraft inspections, documentation renewals, or any other service within its regulatory mandate. Operators are then required to settle all such invoices in advance, and compliance is strictly observed before the NCAA renders any regulatory service.

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“In practice, no domestic airline in Nigeria receives NCAA regulatory services without first making the full payment of invoices issued to it by the NCAA. This long-standing policy and procedure remains firmly in place. Consequently, suggestions that domestic airline operators are indebted to the NCAA for regulatory services are factually inaccurate.

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“What the NCAA refers to as ‘outstanding charges’ relates solely to the five percent (five per cent) Ticket Sales Charge, TSC, a Tax imposed by the NCAA on passengers for no services rendered to passengers and not in consonance with the dictates of international aviation. This is entirely different from regulatory service fees.

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“The AON also notes that several member airlines maintain dedicated accounts, from which the NCAA draws down its monthly remittances, until the force majeure caused by the Iran -Israel/USA conflict, that had put a lot of financial pressures on airlines worldwide.

“Notwithstanding this arrangement, the AON had formally appealed to the federal government through the office of Honourable Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, to suspend the payment of all statutory charges temporarily, as an interim measure to assist airlines in managing their cash flows during the current period of severe financial stress caused by the increase in the cost of Jet Al.

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“As an interim response, President Bola Tinubu graciously granted a 30 per cent concession, while waiting for the government  decision on the other aspects of the AON intervention request. While the AON acknowledges and appreciates this gesture, we had appealed for a meeting with Mr. President to discuss further reliefs, a request that is yet to be granted.

“The AON reiterates its position that the NCAA is a regulatory body, not a revenue-generating agency. The NCAA does not fund any aspect of our businesses or render any direct service to passengers.

“Each and every service it provides to airline operators are  fully paid for in advance before such is rendered. In view of the above, the AON calls on federal government to urgently amend the Civil Aviation Act to empower the NCAA to collect whatever appropriate fees and charges are due directly from passengers or whoever else, without routing such through the domestic airlines. We request this to take effect from June 1, 2026.

“This will relieve domestic airlines of the financial burden of acting as collection agents for the NCAA, since airlines currently bear banking transfer charges and other transaction costs in the process of transmitting funds to the NCAA.

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“The five per cent Ticket Service Charge in question was introduced over 45 years ago under the Government of General Gowon by the then Federal Civil Aviation Authority, FCAA, and its continued relevance has not been reviewed ever since.

“The FCAA was at the time an arm of the Civil Aviation Department, CAD, housed in Marina under the Ministry of Transportation. As the CAD was not a ministry-level aviation unit, it had limited budgetary resources.

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“The Gowon regime of the 1970s had built airports in all 12 States of the federation and these airports required maintenance and operational budgets that were not provided for in the sector’s budget hence the introduction of the five per cent TSC.

“Notably, Nigeria Airways, the only domestic airline operating at the time, did NOT pay the five per cent TSC. Only foreign Airline carriers were required to pay.

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“Importantly and worthy of note is the fact that the FCAA has since over time evolved into the NCAA, NAA, and NIMET. The NAA in turn evolved into the present-day FAAN and NAMA.

“Meanwhile, the aviation industry was deregulated in 1982, allowing for indigenous entrepreneurs to compete in the market, resulting in the new entrant private airlines that have remained the mainstay of the industry and the backbone of the Nigerian economic renaissance.

“With the creation of each of these agencies, separate taxes, fees, charges, and levies were introduced for the Nigerian  Airline operators to cover their respective services.

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“Meanwhile, the five per cent TSC, which was originally a policy instrument was surreptitiously introduced into the legislation by the NCAA, despite the vehement opposition from the AON and other industry stakeholders.

“Domestic airlines, in addition to this five per cent TSC, still pay separately ànd directly for services provided by the various industry agencies, including the NCAA itself.

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“It is important to note that the five per cent TSC is an ad valorem tax applied to an airline’s gross earnings, not profits. The global aviation industry operates at a profit margin of between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent at best. International standard and best practice provides that aviation should be a cost-recovery sector of strategic importance. In Nigeria, however, the industry is being subjected to unsustainable financial pressures, in the guise of imposed taxes, fees, charges and levies.

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“The AON uses this occasion to once again draw the attention of the Federal Government to the unsustainable burden of these multiple  taxes, fees, charges and levies arbitrarily imposed on domestic airline operators. We make payments to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and several other service providers and statutory bodies.

“The financial impact of these taxes, fees, charges and levies is adverse, burdensome and excruciating, especially at this precarious period, when the entire world has been exposed to the exogenous shocks of the Iran – Israel / USA crisis.”