No fewer than 174 political support groups have endorsed former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, for the Bauchi State governorship race ahead of the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The endorsement was announced on Saturday during Tuggar’s declaration of interest held at the Games Village in Bauchi.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Tuggar Foundation, Uba Nana, commended the former minister for heeding the call of the Bauchi people to contest for the state’s top seat.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by the party’s Zonal Vice Chairman (Central), Ibrahim Sama’ila Ilali, praised Tuggar for his loyalty and commitment to the party.

He urged other aspirants to emulate Tuggar by adhering to party structures and guidelines before pursuing political ambitions. The APC leadership also called on supporters to register and renew their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections and vote for the party “from top to bottom.”

Also speaking, the Senator representing Bauchi North, Dr. Sama’ila Kaila Dahuwa, on behalf of the APC caucus, pledged the support of National Assembly members across the 20 local government areas of the state.

He lauded Tuggar’s decision to step down from his ministerial position in what he described as a sacrifice to serve the people of Bauchi State.

Political observers believe that Tuggar’s emergence as the APC candidate could significantly reshape the state’s political landscape.

The former minister was earlier received by a large crowd of supporters at the APC state secretariat before proceeding to the venue of the event.