0-0x0-0-0#
By Adamu Imam, Bauchi
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Salisiyya Amana Support Group for Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar’s re-election bid has said the former governor will clamp down on political thuggery if elected governor of Bauchi State.
The Director General of the group, Alhaji Sabo Salisu, made this known to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday during a scorecard presentation marking three months of the movement’s campaign for M.A. Abubakar across the state.
According to him, one of the main reasons people want Abubakar back is because there was no major crisis in Bauchi during his administration, and he dealt decisively with political thuggery.
“That is why people are happy now that M.A. Abubakar is on the ballot. He does not encourage thuggery. He is a patient person and always warns his supporters that anyone who engages in thuggery is not part of him,” Salisu said.
The DG also accused the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, of fueling political tension through what he described as indiscriminate posting of campaign materials. He alleged that government schools have been painted in APM colours, while banners and posters bearing ‘ROGO’ have been mounted on buildings and along major streets in Bauchi.
“No one is touching them, but they keep claiming their posters are being vandalized so they can justify destroying other parties’ posters,” he alleged.
Salisu advised APC supporters not to engage in poster wars, saying victory would not be determined by posters alone.
“People know that APC is on ground. People are going to vote for APC,” he said.
He described the proliferation of APM posters as a nuisance that would not translate to electoral victory.
“Those doing business are being accused of creating a nuisance, yet the same people are putting rubbish on the streets. The difference is clear. Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar is a gentleman. He does not encourage any act of violence,” Salisu added.
He called on the state governor to call APM supporters to order, stressing that politics should not be a do-or-die affair.
“People voted for him, so he should ensure a level playing field for every political party. This harassment will not make him win the election,” he said.
