APC ready for transparent primaries if consensus fails – Gov Buni
By Ahmed Isah
Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ready to conduct fair, credible and transparent primary elections if consensus arrangements fail ahead of the 2027 elections.
Buni stated this in a statement signed by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, on Sunday in Damaturu.
He said the party had not foreclosed direct election to produce candidates for the contestable offices in the 2027 general election.
“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,” the governor said.
Our Correspondent reports that Six APC governorship aspirants in Yobe have rejected the purported endorsement of a consensus candidate, describing it as inconsistent with the Electoral Act and party constitution.
Buni said the development was not new in the political history of the state and the party.
“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 said.
The governor explained that the party was still engaging in consultations with stakeholders and aspirants to arrive at an amicable resolution.
“We are talking to each other and reaching out to the stakeholders, including the aspirants, to arrive at an amicable solution,” he said.
Buni said he would be happy to see the state and the party remain peaceful and united ahead of the elections.
“We remain citizens of Yobe and members of APC. My expectation is to see us more united and collectively working for our candidates to win the 2027 general election,” he said.
The governor, a former National Chairman of APC, said the unity and progress of the party remained personally important to him as a founding member and former secretary of the party.
“I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to remain Nigeria’s ruling political party,” he said.
Buni expressed optimism that the aspirations of politicians seeking elective offices in the state were driven by the desire to serve the people.
“Yobe is proudly a leading example of political transparency, internal and participatory democracy.
“We shall continue to uphold these principles to promote the policy of politics without bitterness,” he said.
The governor added that the party would continue to give members a sense of belonging and support whoever emerged as its candidates in the elections.
He called on APC members in the state to promote unity and mobilise support for the party ahead of the elections.
“We should remain united to deliver Yobe and Nigeria to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and ensure victory for all APC candidates,” Buni said.
