Group Urges APC Aspirants to Accept Pate as Consensus Governorship Candidate for Bauchi 2027

From Ahmad Saka, Bauchi

The Coalition Grassroots Network for Ali Pate has appealed to stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State to rally behind the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Adamu A. Ahmad, made the call while addressing journalists in Bauchi. He explained that the group had met with Professor Pate and formally requested him to contest the governorship seat, stressing that the minister remains the most capable leader to unite the APC and provide exemplary leadership in the state.

“Professor Pate assured us of his readiness to serve the people of Bauchi when the time comes,” Adamu said. “Although he is currently focused on delivering the mandate entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has pledged to answer our call and contest in 2027 with the mission to develop not only Bauchi but Nigeria at large.”

The chairman emphasized that for APC to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi, party members must bury their differences and unite behind a charismatic, grassroots-connected leader like Pate.

“Professor Pate is deeply connected to the grassroots. He understands the challenges facing the state and has the capacity to address them if elected as governor,” Adamu added.

According to him, the coalition is already engaging stakeholders across Bauchi’s 20 local government areas to strengthen party unity and ensure the APC builds a solid platform that aligns with President Tinubu’s success at the national level.

Adamu further described Professor Pate as a nationalist, a results-oriented leader, and a son of Bauchi who has consistently delivered wherever he served.

“Wherever he works, Professor Pate prioritizes development and service delivery. His track record shows he is not one to divide the polity but to build and unify it. Bauchi needs such a progressive leader at this critical time,” he stated.

Professor Muhammad Ali Pate is an internationally recognised public health expert who has held several top positions. He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population at the World Bank, and CEO of GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance. In 2023, he was appointed Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare by President Tinubu, where he has been instrumental in transforming the Nigerian health sector.

The coalition, Adamu stressed, will continue working tirelessly to foster unity within the Bauchi APC, with the hope that stakeholders will rally behind Professor Pate as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for 2027.