Protests In Bauchi Over APC Plot To Impose Lawmaker, Sideline Female House Of Reps Aspirant
Hundreds of protesters from Duguri District in Alkaleri Local Government Area and parts of Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Saturday stormed the streets to protest what they described as injustice against a female aspirant, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Gyaryal, popularly known as “Mama Mai Solar,” during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries.
The protesters accused the party leadership of manipulating the primary process to favour an incumbent lawmaker while sidelining Gyaryal.
Gyaryal is said to be the only female aspirant contesting alongside five male candidates for the Alkaleri/Kirfi federal constituency seat.
A source told SaharaReporters on Saturday, May 23, 2026, that the protesters expressed anger over the alleged failure to conduct any primary election despite supporters waiting throughout the day for the exercise to take place.
“The people of Duguri District in Alkaleri Local Government Area and some parts of Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi state today came out in large numbers to protest against what they described as injustice done to their preferred candidate, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Gyaryal, popularly known as ‘Mama Mai Solar,’” the source said.
Read Also:
“We have a female aspirant in Alkaleri/Kirfi federal constituency of Bauchi. She is the only female aspirant among five men despite the promise to give women 35 %, no primaries was conducted, and they are about to declare our serving member because he has bribed the returning officer sent down to Bauchi.”
According to the source, “The protesters, supporters of Hajiya Zainab, mobilised massively on the day of the primaries and waited from morning until night, yet no election was conducted across the two local government areas.
“They alleged that despite the Federal Government’s promise of 35% affirmative action and inclusion for women in politics, female candidates continue to face marginalisation and unfair treatment within the political process.
“The protesters called on the leadership of the APC and relevant authorities to ensure justice, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants, especially women participating in democratic processes.”
The protesters further demanded that the APC leadership immediately intervene to prevent what they described as an attempt to impose a candidate without a transparent electoral process.
The controversy added to the escalating internal crisis within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Participation of women in elective politics has remained controversial in Nigeria despite repeated public promises of commitments by political stakeholders to promote gender inclusion.
