Yobe APC Governorship Aspirants Reject Party's Endorsement of Consensus Candidate

A significant rift has emerged within the Yobe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the party's decision to endorse Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The endorsement, finalized at a meeting of the party's Critical Stakeholders' Forum led by Governor Mai Mala Buni and Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam, has been met with strong opposition from two prominent aspirants.

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We categorically reject this attempt to subvert due process. We reject the culture of imposition. We reject any scheme that undermines fairness, equity and the democratic rights of our people.

Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai and Kashim Musa Tumsa have publicly rejected Wali's selection, with Bomai vehemently denouncing the process as an "affront to democratic principles" and a "culture of imposition." In a statement, Bomai argued that leadership should emerge through the free and fair choice of the people, not through closed-door arrangements or elite dictates. He stressed that any attempt to impose leadership would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, calling for transparency and justice in determining the state's future.

Conversely, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan has backed the party's decision, urging his supporters to remain calm and loyal to the APC. This divergence highlights a clear internal conflict regarding candidate selection methods within the Yobe APC. While the party leadership, through a communiqué, described Wali as a "seasoned technocrat with the requisite qualifications," dissenting voices like Senator Bomai are championing democratic processes and the will of the electorate over perceived internal party arrangements.

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We reject this attempt to subvert due process. We reject the culture of imposition. We reject any scheme that undermines fairness, equity and the democratic rights of our people.

This situation underscores a recurring theme in Nigerian politics where internal party democracy and the adherence to due process are often contested. The rejection of the consensus candidate by key aspirants signals potential challenges for party unity and electoral strategy in Yobe State. The stance taken by Senator Bomai, emphasizing the rights of the people and democratic principles, reflects a growing demand for more transparent and participatory candidate selection, a sentiment that could resonate widely among the electorate.

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The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, urges members of the public to disregard this misinformation and remain calm, as the command remains committed to ensuring peace and security across Gombe State.