Yobe 2027: APC Chieftain Discards ‘Anointed’ Candidates, Roots For Senator Bomai

By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Ibbiyo, the Zanna Laisun Jigawa, has dismissed alleged attempts by the state government to impose a successor on Governor Mai Mala Buni for the 2027 governorship race, warning that any move to sidestep party and electoral guidelines will be challenged legally.

In a strongly worded rejoinder titled “Yobe 2027 and the Search for a Credible Successor”, Ibbiyo accused the state government and its allies of orchestrating a media campaign to promote preferred candidates who, according to him, lack the experience, exposure and capacity required to move Yobe forward.

He was reacting to an article published (not by purveyor.com.ng) on social media on 5th April at 12:00 hours, titled “Soft Options for Buni’s Successor”, which profiled some of the perceived frontrunners for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

Ibbiyo described the article as “a sponsored piece by the government of Yobe State,” allegedly driven by forces around Governor Mai Mala Buni, particularly the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Mallam Wali, whom he suggested may be the “anointed candidate” of the administration and some interests within the APC.

“After reading the said article, it is obvious that it is a sponsored piece by the government of Yobe State, led by H.E. Mai Mala Buni and the Secretary to the State Government, who might be the anointed candidate of both the government and sections of the APC,” he charged.

He argued that governments seeking to “cover their tracks” often prefer successors who will “either continue their style of governance or conceal their shortcomings,” but stressed that the people of Yobe are more concerned about capacity, competence, credibility and genuine development, not godfather’s politics.

The APC chieftain insisted that when the “so‑called government candidates” are compared with other possible aspirants, they fall short in critical areas.

He listed Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, Kashim Musa Tumsah, Alhaji Lawan Kolo and Hon. Jibrin Maigari as more credible options, arguing that the “anointed” figures have neither the pedigree nor the track record to justify being frontrunners.

“Among the possible aspirants, when you place the so‑called ‘government candidates’ side-by-side with other credible options, it becomes clear that none of the anointed candidates comes close in terms of experience, exposure and capacity to develop the state,” he said.

Ibbiyo took particular exception to the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali, questioning his suitability for the state’s top job.

“With all due respect, he is burnt out, lacks the requisite exposure and carries baggage of allegations,” he alleged.

He challenged anyone in doubt to conduct anonymous interviews with civil servants in the state, claiming that a consistent pattern of negative perceptions about the SSG would emerge. He described what he revealed as “just a tip of the iceberg.”

While acknowledging Hon. Salisu Mukhtari, Executive Chairman of Potiskum Local Government, as a “true grassroots politician who rose from councillor to elected chairman,” Ibbiyo dismissed most of the other “favoured” names as technocrats without political base or “mediocres” surviving on godfatherism.

He invoked a popular Hausa expression associated with blind loyalty to political benefactors: “da na ci amanan megidana gara na mutu” (I would rather die than betray my benefactor), but warned that such loyalty, if detached from truth and justice, amounts to slavery.

“But loyalty without truth is slavery. If your benefactor does not stand on the path of justice, following him blindly is a disservice to the people,” he cautioned.

Ibbiyo reminded party stakeholders that the processes for producing candidates are clearly set out in the APC constitution and electoral guidelines, and cautioned against any attempt to circumvent due process.

“In my view, the guidelines for producing a successor are clearly spelt out in the electoral guidelines and the APC constitution. Any attempt to sidestep these guidelines will be resisted — we will meet in court, and history may well repeat itself,” he warned, without elaborating on the precedent he was referring to.

Positioning Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, representing Yobe South, as the most suitable successor to Governor Buni, Ibbiyo argued that the lawmaker has demonstrated “proven capacity, accessibility and a record of performance.”

He said Bomai has shown competence at the National Assembly, maintains strong contact with the grassroots, and enjoys broad support among youths across the state.

“In this regard, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, representing Yobe South, stands out. He has demonstrated competence at the National Assembly, maintains strong grassroots contact, enjoys youth support across the state, and comes from Zone B — a zone that accounts for over 50% of Yobe’s population and is next in line by equity and zoning,” he said.

He contrasted Bomai’s profile with that of Senate veteran, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, arguing that while Lawan has spent over 26 years in the National Assembly, he is “burnt out” and allegedly dogged by “a lot of questionable practices.”

Ibbiyo underscored the importance of zoning and equity in the 2027 governorship arrangements, insisting that Yobe South (Zone B), which he claimed accounts for more than half of the state’s population, should be next in line for the governorship slot.

For him, Bomai’s origins from the zone, combined with his legislative experience and grassroots network, make him the “natural choice” for any party genuinely interested in fairness and performance.

Concluding his statement, the APC chieftain appealed to party leaders at state and national levels not to allow internal democracy to be subverted by narrow interests.

“The APC must not sacrifice merit on the altar of godfatherism. Yobe needs a unifier, not a placeholder,” he declared.

He insisted that Yobe State “deserves better” and that the next governor must be a leader with “proven capacity, accessibility and a record of performance,” rather than one imposed to protect the interests of a few.