The APC National Youth League has thrown its weight behind Bauchi born oil and gas technocrat Bala Wunti, urging the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to rally behind him as the party’s most formidable candidate for the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the National President, APC National Youth League, Alhaji Musa Sani, declared that the group had carefully reviewed the profiles of several aspirants within the party before arriving at a unanimous decision to endorse Wunti as the candidate most capable of delivering victory for the APC in Bauchi State.
According to the group, Wunti represents the type of leadership Bauchi urgently needs, one that combines technocratic competence, grassroots empathy, and a proven record of service both in the public and private sectors.
Dr. Bala Wunti is widely known as a seasoned professional in Nigeria’s energy industry, having served in several strategic leadership roles within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, he held key managerial and executive positions and rose to become the Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer of NNPC Limited in 2025.
The APC youth body noted that Wunti’s impressive track record in the oil and gas sector demonstrates his capacity for strategic leadership, institutional reform, and economic management, qualities it believes are urgently required to reposition Bauchi State for rapid development.
“Dr. Bala Wunti is not just a politician. He is a builder of institutions, a globally respected energy executive, and a man whose experience cuts across governance, economics, and strategic management,” the group said.
The youth leader further highlighted that Wunti’s tenure in the petroleum sector was marked by reforms and operational efficiency that contributed to improvements in Nigeria’s oil production and the strengthening of operational systems within NNPC.
Beyond his professional achievements, the APC National Youth League emphasized Wunti’s extensive philanthropic work through the Wunti Al Khair Foundation, which has supported vulnerable groups including widows, orphans, and young entrepreneurs across Bauchi State and northern Nigeria.
According to the group, these humanitarian efforts have endeared him to the grassroots and earned him widespread respect among youths, traditional institutions, and community leaders throughout the state.
Political observers have also noted that Wunti’s growing popularity is already generating significant momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship race, with several political stakeholders and support groups calling on him to formally declare his ambition under the APC platform.
The APC youth leaders said Bauchi State is currently at a crucial political crossroads and requires a leader with both global exposure and local understanding to unlock its economic potential.
“Bauchi State is rich in human and natural resources but requires visionary leadership to harness these opportunities. Dr. Bala Wunti possesses the competence, credibility, and character required to lead that transformation,” the statement added.
The group further stressed that Wunti’s background as a technocrat rather than a career politician gives him a unique advantage in governance, particularly in areas such as economic diversification, youth employment, infrastructure development, and industrial growth.
They argued that with his deep experience in investment management, strategic planning, and institutional development, Wunti would be well positioned to attract investors and accelerate economic growth in Bauchi State.
The APC National Youth League therefore called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to create a level playing field that would allow credible aspirants like Wunti to emerge through the party’s democratic processes.
The youth body also appealed directly to Dr. Bala Wunti to heed the growing calls from across the state and formally declare his intention to contest the governorship election.
“We urge Dr. Bala Wunti to answer the call of the people. Bauchi youths, women, professionals, and community leaders are already looking up to him as a symbol of hope and progress,” the statement said.
The group concluded that if given the APC ticket, Wunti would not only unite the party in Bauchi State but also present the strongest challenge capable of reclaiming the state from the opposition in 2027.