The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State intensified on Sunday after Governor Mai Mala Buni declared that the party was prepared to conduct fair, credible and transparent primaries if consensus efforts fail ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Governor Buni made the statement while reacting to growing controversy surrounding the adoption of former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali, as the preferred governorship candidate of the party.
The governor explained that Wali’s emergence followed resolutions reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2026, but stressed that the party remained committed to democratic principles and internal participation.
According to him, consensus candidacy remains one of the constitutional options available to political parties, but direct primaries would be adopted if party stakeholders fail to reach a unanimous agreement.
“The emergence of Baba Mallam Wali as the preferred candidate of the party followed the resolutions of the critical stakeholders’ meeting of 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,” Buni said.
APC Primaries in Yobe: Buni Recalls 2019 Experience
The Yobe governor recalled how he emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2019 after a similar disagreement over consensus arrangements.
Buni noted that despite resistance from some aspirants at the time, the party conducted an election in which he secured victory with a wide margin.
“This is not new. In 2019, I was nominated as a consensus candidate, a few other aspirants contested the decision, and we went for 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 further disclosed that consultations were ongoing among party leaders, stakeholders and aspirants to prevent further division within the ruling party.
He emphasized that unity, peace and cohesion within the APC remain essential for electoral success in the 2027 general elections.
Six APC Governorship Aspirants Reject Consensus Candidate
The crisis within the Yobe APC escalated after six prominent governorship aspirants rejected the adoption of Baba Mallam Wali as the party’s consensus candidate.
The aggrieved aspirants include:
Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai
Bashir Sheriff Machina
Kashim Musa Tumsah
Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja
Lawan Kolo Geidam
Mohammed Alkali Baba
In a communiqué issued after a joint meeting in Abuja, the aspirants described the adoption of Wali as a violation of both the Electoral Act and the APC constitution.
The group insisted that only a transparent and democratic primary election would be acceptable in determining the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 elections in Yobe State.
According to the aspirants, the procedures guiding consensus candidature under the Electoral Act were not properly followed.
Vice President Shettima Meets Aggrieved Aspirants
Amid growing political tension, the aggrieved aspirants reportedly met with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Saturday as part of efforts to address the dispute and prevent further cracks within the ruling party.
Political observers believe the outcome of the consultations could shape the future of the APC in Yobe State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Buni, who previously served as National Chairman of the APC, reiterated his commitment to protecting the unity and stability of the party.
“As a founding member, former secretary and national chairman of the APC, the unity and progress of the party means so much to me personally. I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to remain Nigeria’s ruling political party,” he stated.
Yobe 2027 Politics: APC Calls for Unity
Buni also urged party supporters across Yobe State to remain united and continue mobilising support for the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor assured party members that all stakeholders would be carried along regardless of who eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate.
He maintained that Yobe State remains an example of political transparency and participatory democracy in Nigeria.