Two of the Yobe State governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress have rejected the party’s decision to endorse former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 election.
The two aspirants, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai and Kashim Musa Tumsa, kicked against Wali’s endorsement.
Another aspirant and former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, however, backed the party’s decision and urged his supporters in Yobe North Senatorial District to remain calm and loyal to the APC.
The development followed the meeting of the party’s Critical Stakeholders’ Forum, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni and Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, on Wednesday night, where the choice of Wali was concluded.
In a communiqué issued on Wednesday by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, at the end of the meeting, the forum described Wali as a seasoned technocrat with the requisite qualifications for effective leadership and governance.
The communiqué stated that stakeholders unanimously endorsed him as the preferred candidate of the party for the 2027 governorship election.
The party had earlier resolved at a stakeholders’ meeting last week to adopt the consensus method in selecting its candidates.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH, Bomai rejected the endorsement, describing it as an affront to democratic principles.
Bomai said no individual, regardless of past office or political influence, had the authority to determine the leadership of millions of people behind closed doors.
He said leadership in Yobe State must emerge through the free, fair and transparent choice of the people rather than through imposition or elite arrangements.
“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,” he said.
The senator added that any attempt to impose leadership on the people of the state would be resisted through lawful and democratic means.
He called on political leaders, institutions and citizens to defend democracy, insist on transparency and ensure that the future of the state was determined openly and justly.
Bomai also reaffirmed his commitment to justice, equity and progress, saying Yobe must move forward based on the will of its people and not the dictates of a few.
In the same vein, Tumsa also rejected Wali’s endorsement.
Efforts to obtain his reaction were unsuccessful as he declined several calls placed by our correspondent and did not respond to messages as of press time.
However, a close associate of the aspirant, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said Tumsa and his supporters had rejected the party’s decision.
The source said Tumsa, whom he described as one of the earliest aspirants to purchase the APC governorship expression of interest form, was firmly opposed to what he called an imposed arrangement.
“He was the first aspirant to purchase the form. We reject this endorsement because it does not reflect the spirit of internal democracy. Leadership should emerge through a fair and transparent process, not imposition,” the source said.
On his part, Lawan, in a statement on Thursday, said the 2027 political season had begun, recalling that the Yobe APC had already resolved to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and adopt consensus candidates for key elective positions.
He said that although many supporters held different aspirations, politics must be guided by collective interest rather than personal ambition.
Lawan said he accepted the emergence of Wali in good faith, describing it as an opportunity for Yobe North to produce the governor of the state for the first time since its creation.
“I am not motivated by individual ambition, but by our collective dream and commitment to a greater Yobe State,” he said.
The former Senate President pledged full support for Wali and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, urging members to avoid division and work for the party’s unity.
“I charge you to return to your wards with a message of calm. Let us embrace our party’s decision and work for the success of the APC from top to bottom,” Lawan added.
He said the party would approach the 2027 elections as a united political force capable of retaining power in the state.
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