Six governorship hopefuls from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State have collectively dismissed the alleged endorsement of former Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Baba Mallam Wali, as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election. They insist that only a transparent and competitive primary election will be acceptable.
In a statement released after a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the aspirants outlined their unified stance. They argued that the reported adoption of Wali contravenes both the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution, calling the process fundamentally flawed.
The group comprises notable figures: Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai representing Yobe South, Bashir Sheriff Machina, former Chairman of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Governing Council, and Kashim Musa Tumsah, former NNPCL board member. Others include Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, ex-Director General of NEMA; Lawan Kolo Geidam, former Mandate Secretary for Youths and Sports in the FCT; and IGP Mohammed Alkali Baba, former Inspector-General of Police.
The statement emphasized that the alleged endorsement fails to meet the legal standards outlined in the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC Constitution, making it null and void. They stressed the need for strict compliance with consensus provisions to guarantee a credible candidate emerges.
Furthermore, the aspirants called for a fair and transparent direct primary election if consensus cannot be achieved, adhering to APC guidelines. They maintained that the rules were disregarded in selecting Wali, and any consensus must follow due process as defined by relevant laws.