Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State have rejected the endorsement of former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Wali, as a consensus candidate, declaring support for Senator Ibrahim Bomai instead.
The stakeholders, drawn from the three geopolitical zones of the state, made their position known on Sunday during a gathering in Potiskum Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the event, one of the organisers, Yusuf Zaki, faulted the process that led to Wali’s endorsement, insisting it did not follow due consultation.
He said, “We are gathered here to reject Baba Malam Wali’s endorsement by a few APC stakeholders.
“We did not agree with the endorsement, and we will never accept it.
“This decision did not come from the majority of party members across the three zones of the state, and it does not reflect the wishes of the grassroots.”
Zaki added, “Nobody, whoever he thinks he is, can impose a candidate on us.
“The former governor of Yobe State and current Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, should know that he cannot decide for us.
“The party belongs to all of us, not to a few individuals sitting somewhere to take unilateral decisions.”
He insisted that they were in support of Bomai, while declaring their readiness to compete in the forthcoming primaries.
Zaki also decried what he described as undue influence by a select few within the party.
“Yobe can no longer accept a dictatorship from a few individuals who believe they can control the political direction of the state.
“We are here to say enough is enough, and we will resist any attempt to sideline the majority,” he said.
Another chieftain, Ibrahim Ibbiyo, aligned with Zaki’s position, stating, “We will never accept Baba Malam Wali as our candidate because the process that brought him forward lacks transparency and fairness.
“What we are demanding is a level playing field where every aspirant can test his popularity before the delegates.”
He added, “It is unacceptable for a few stakeholders to sit and decide for the entire state.
“We are party members with equal rights, and we insist that due process must be followed if the APC is to remain united in Yobe State.”
Also speaking, Idi Jugujugu declared, “Senator Ibrahim Bomai is our candidate, and we are fully committed to supporting him throughout the process. We believe he has the capacity, the experience, and the acceptability across the three zones.”
The event attracted thousands of supporters from Zones A, B and C, many of whom carried placards bearing Bomai’s name while chanting slogans rejecting what they described as the imposition of a candidate.
According to reports, there were indications that Bomai may align with other governorship aspirants, including Kashim Musa Tumsah and Lawan Kolo Geidam, as their supporters were seen together at the gathering, suggesting possible collaboration ahead of the party’s primaries.