Just Now: Yobe Open to Fair, Transparent APC Primaries— Gov. Buni
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Sunday, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is open to fair, credible and transparent primary election in the state if there is no general agreement on the consensus mode.
According to the statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, the Director-general for Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, the party has not foreclosed direct election to produce its candidates for the contestable offices for the 2027 general election.
Buni explained that the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as the party’s preferred governorship candidate followed resolutions reached at a critical stakeholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2026.
“The emergence of Baba Malam Wali as the preferred candidate of the party followed the resolutions of the critical stakeholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2026. He was endorsed and adopted as the preferred candidate, but if there is no general agreement, we shall adopt the election mode,” the governor said.
He recalled that a similar situation occurred in 2019 when he emerged as the APC consensus candidate, but some aspirants challenged the arrangement, leading to a primary election.
“This is not new. In 2019, I was nominated as a consensus candidate. A few other aspirants contested the decision, and we went for an election where I emerged as the party’s candidate with a very wide margin. We are ready to repeat that history if we cannot reach consensus,” he added.
The governor said the party leadership was still engaging stakeholders and aspirants through dialogue to achieve an amicable resolution.
“We are talking to each other and reaching out to stakeholders, including the aspirants, to arrive at an amicable solution,” he said.
Buni stressed that, as governor, his greatest desire was to see the state and the party remain peaceful and united.
“I will be the happiest person to see the state and the party peacefully and united. We remain citizens of Yobe State and members of the APC. My expectation is to see us more united and collectively working for our candidates to win the 2027 general elections,” he stated.
The governor, who described himself as a founding member, former National Secretary and former National Chairman of the APC, said the unity and progress of the party remained personally important to him.
“The unity and progress of the party mean so much to me personally. I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to ensure it remains Nigeria’s ruling political party,” he said.
Buni expressed optimism that the aspirations of individuals seeking public office in the state were driven by the desire to serve the people and improve their living conditions.
“Yobe State is proudly a leading example of political transparency, internal democracy and participatory governance. We shall continue to uphold these principles and promote politics without bitterness,” he noted.
He added that the decision reached by stakeholders reflected a collective commitment to the progress of the state and the party.
“I am proud to say we are all part of this decision together with the critical stakeholders to support the party in the state. After all, we are working for the good of the state,” the governor said.
Buni further assured party members that the APC would continue to provide everyone with a sense of belonging while mobilising support for all party candidates in the 2027 elections.
He called on APC members across the state to remain united and work toward securing victory for the party in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections.
“I call on all APC members in the state to promote unity and generate more support for the party to remain the ruling party in Yobe State and Nigeria, and to deliver the state to the second-term bid of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all other APC candidates,” Buni emphasized.
