A group of senior All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Yobe State has dismissed the endorsement of former Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as the party's consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The rejection was announced during a large gathering in Potiskum on Sunday, where chieftains from all three senatorial zones declared their backing for Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai. They described the process leading to Wali's endorsement as flawed, citing lack of consultation and transparency. Yusuf Zaki, one of the leaders present, stated, "We did not agree with the endorsement, and we will never accept it. Nobody, whoever he thinks he is, can impose a candidate on us." He emphasized that no individual, including Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam, could dictate the party's direction. Other prominent figures such as Ibrahim Ibbiyo and Idi Jugujugu supported the stance, calling for an open and fair primary to determine the candidate. The event drew thousands of supporters, many seen holding placards in favour of Bomai. The gathering also suggested possible alignment among various aspirants, including Kashim Musa Tumsah, ahead of the party's formal selection process. The APC has not issued an official statement on the matter. The next steps will depend on the party's internal mechanisms for resolving disputes and setting timelines for primaries.
Backing Senator Bomai while rejecting a consensus process undermines the claim of seeking fairness in candidate selection. The same leaders decrying imposition are now rallying behind a preferred alternative, revealing a pattern of resistance only when they are not in control. Their demand for transparency rings hollow when they simultaneously consolidate support around one contender. This is less about democracy and more about shifting power within the party.
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