From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is open to conducting fair, credible and transparent primary elections if stakeholders fail to reach a consensus ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, Gov. Buni said the party has not ruled out direct primaries to produce candidates for elective positions.
“The emergence of Baba Mallam Wali as the preferred candidate of the party followed resolutions reached at the 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 candidate through a primary election after some aspirants rejected the consensus arrangement.
“This is not new. In 2019, I was nominated as a consensus candidate, but a few 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.
Gov. Buni explained that consultations were still ongoing among stakeholders and aspirants 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.
The governor stressed the need for unity within the party, saying peace and cooperation among members remain essential for electoral success in 2027.
“As Governor of the state, I will be the happiest person to see the state and the party peaceful 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 election,” he stated.
Buni, a founding member, former National Secretary and former National Chairman of the APC, said the unity and progress of the party remain personal priorities 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 remain Nigeria’s ruling political party,” he said.
He expressed optimism that aspirants seeking public offices in the state were motivated by a genuine 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 to promote politics without bitterness,” Gov. Buni added.
The governor assured party members that everyone would be given a sense of belonging, regardless of who eventually emerges as the party’s candidate.
He called on APC members across the state to remain united and mobilise support for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I call on all APC members in the state to promote unity and generate more support for the party to remain Yobe and Nigeria’s ruling political party, and to deliver the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, alongside all other APC candidates,” the governor emphasized.