The Untold Story of Daure David: Inside the Political Activism and Influence of a Bauchi Youth Mobilizer
By: Mike Johnson Ishaya
In the unfolding political history of Bauchi State over the last decade, one name consistently recurs among youth movements, digital activism, and grassroots mobilization: Daure David. While widely known among young political observers, many remain unaware of the depth of his involvement and the risks he has faced in what supporters describe as a “long-standing struggle for accountable leadership.”
A Youth Activist and the 2019 Political Upset
According to several youth groups and political observers, Daure David was among the early and vocal critics of the then All Progressives Congress (APC) administration under Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. Advocating the slogan “Babu Tazarce” (“No Second Term”), he argued that the administration had not met the expectations of many young people.
Supporters credit him with being one of the first youths to openly endorse Senator Bala Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi) for the 2019 governorship contest. This endorsement, they say, came under the mentorship of Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro, former PDP North East Zonal Chairman, who played a key role in mobilizing young supporters for the opposition at the time.
Despite political tensions and what some describe as targeted intimidation from opposing camps, PDP went on to secure victory in 2019, unseating a sitting governor a rare achievement in Nigerian politics.
The 2023 Election Cycle: Renewed Pressure and Loyalty:
The 2023 governorship election brought renewed intensity. Supporters of David claim he remained consistent in backing Governor Bala Mohammed for a second term, despite what they describe as “heavy federal-level influence” from APC stakeholders, including the candidacy of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the political weight of the then Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq.
Yet again, Bala Mohammed emerged victorious. Among youth activists, the outcome was viewed as a validation of persistent grassroots organizing.both online and offline.
Controversies, Arrests, and Internal Political Clashes:
Daure David’s activism has not come without friction. At one point, he and his associates were detained over an allegedly fabricated press release that was said to malign the PDP-led state government. Supporters argue that the arrest was the result of internal political rivalry, claiming that certain political appointees viewed David as a threat to their ambitions.
Eventually, those close to the situation insisted that the allegations were unfounded and politically motivated. The episode, however, reinforced David’s public image as a figure frequently at odds with entrenched power blocs.
Recent Detention and the Road to 2027: Most recently, Daure David’s arrest reportedly linked to tensions with Senator Shehu Umar Buba of Bauchi South has reignited debates around political freedoms, activism, and dissent in Bauchi State. Supporters argue that the incident is evidence of what they describe as “growing intolerance for opposing voices.”
Within activist circles, his detention has already been framed as the beginning of a new political battle ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with some vowing to mobilize against the senator’s re-election bid.
A Controversial yet Influential Figure
To his supporters, Daure David remains a resilient symbol of youthful political participation someone who, despite arrests, accusations, and political friction, continues to shape conversations in Bauchi’s political landscape. His critics, however, view him as confrontational and politically disruptive.
But one thing remains uncontested: Daure David has become a formidable presence in Bauchi’s socio-political sphere, especially within the fast-growing space of social media activism.
As Bauchi State approaches another election cycle, observers will be watching closely to see how figures like Daure David and the youth constituencies they influence shape the future of local politics.
