Taraba APC Rift Widens as 2027 Showdown Looms
Fresh cracks have emerged in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as two political heavyweights ,Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha— battle for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
Senator Danladi popularly called Sani Contact or C2C, a former acting governor, is consolidating his grip on the party through close ties with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national APC leaders. His Unity Forum bloc is gaining strength, and his coordination of APC's victory in the recent Karim I by-election has further boosted his profile with Abuja power brokers.
Sani Contact is increasingly emerging as the face of APC in Taraba. His close ties with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and strong connections with key figures at the party's national headquarters in Abuja have positioned him as the preferred power broker for many stakeholders.
Sani Contact currently leads the "Unity Forum," a political bloc within the APC that has managed to attract several influential leaders. His growing clout was further demonstrated during the recent Karim I State Constituency by-election, where APC secured victory under his coordination. That win, insiders say, boosted his credibility and gave him greater leverage with Abuja decision-makers, who now see him as central to the party's 2027 strategy in Taraba.
Bwacha, the party's 2023 governorship candidate, is charting a different course. Having suffered political setbacks in recent months, Bwacha has leaned on his relationship with Vice President Kashim Shettima to retain relevance. Sources say the Vice President, a heavyweight in North-East politics, could prove decisive in shaping the APC's direction in the zone, giving Bwacha hope of clinching the party's ticket in 2027 and his faction will not be entirely sidelined.
Bwacha's camp includes sitting federal lawmakers such as Hon. Mark Useni, Hon. Ayuba Zaku, and Vice President Shettimaclose ally Hon. Kabiru Bello Badawaire among others, who have remained loyal to him despite the shifting balance of power. However, Bwacha's absence — and that of his supporters — from key APC stakeholder meetings in Abuja convened by Danladi has raised questions about his future in the party.
The most recent stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, chaired by Senator David Jimkuta, underlined Danladi's rising dominance. The gathering drew notable APC figures including Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, Hon. David Abel Fuo, Hon Jerry Manwe, and APC Deputy National Women Leader (North), Haj. ZainabIbrahim. At the end of the meeting, attendees publicly pledged to work together to strengthen the party ahead of 2027.
The absence of Bwacha and his allies, however, was not lost on observers. Analysts say the silence from Bwacha's camp reflects both internal calculation and a recognition that Danladi is tightening his grip on the state party machinery.
Political watchers believe that the rivalry between Sani Contact and Bwacha is only the beginning of a much bigger storm that could either fracture the APC in Taraba or force a realignment before the next elections. While Danladi is consolidating support with Abuja and strengthening his base through recent victories, Bwacha may be playing a waiting game, relying on his alliance with the Vice President to swing influence back in his favourwhen it matters most.
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