By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
Six governorship aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe have rejected the recent endorsement of Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as the party’s consensus candidate in the 2027 general elections.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the six aspirants and made available to journalists in Damaturu.
The aspirants are : Sen. Ibrahim Bomoi of Yobe South, Alhaji Bashir Machina, Mr Kashim Musa-Tumsah, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Alhaji Lawan Kolo and Rtd Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Baba.
Our correspondent reports that Gov Mai Mala Buni and the state APC critical stakeholders earlier endorsed Wali, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), as the party’s governorship candidate, citing his competence and experience.
The group, popularly known as G6, however, rejected the endorsement and demanded the conduct of a free and fair primary election, noting that Mallam-Wali’s adoption as a consensus candidate was marred by irregularities.
“ That the purported endorsement of a particular candidate as the APC gubernatorial consensus candidate does not conform with the general requirements and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC Constitution and is therefore unacceptable,
“ That the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act relating to consensus should be strictly adhered to, to ensure the emergence of an acceptable and credible gubernatorial Candidate of the APC in Yobe State,
“ That failing an agreement on consensus, there should be a free, fair , transparent and credible direct primaries in line with the APC guidelines on direct primaries,” it said.
The group also declared a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Gadaka, and demanded his withdrawal from the entire primary elections processes.
“ That following the continuous apparent partisanship displayed by the Yobe State APC Chairman , it is very clear that the APC chairman is highly compromised and the Aspirants do not have confidence that he is capable of holding or supervising a free, fair, transparent and credible direct primary election,
“ That in light of item (iv ) above, the Aspirants strongly demand the immediate withdrawal of the Yobe State APC Chairman from all matters relating to the conduct and supervision of the Yobe state primary election,” it said.
The aspirants, however, assured their unalloyed support to the national leadership of the APC and the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, come 2027.
Our correspondent reports that the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, could not be reached for comments. The party’s Legal Adviser, Barrister Ali Mohammed, who promised to respond to the allegations, did not return phone calls.
