3 Yobe APC aspirants insist on direct primaries

By Ahmed Isah

Three governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe have insisted on direct primaries for the emergence of the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

The aspirants, Kashim Tumsah, Bashir Machina and Mustapha Maihaja, stated this while addressing party supporters in Damaturu on Sunday.

Our Correspondent reports that the aspirants were among six APC governorship contenders earlier known as the G-6, who opposed the endorsement of a consensus candidate by some party stakeholders.

Our also reports that one of the aspirants, Lawan Geidam, had recently withdrawn from the race, while two others are believed to have accepted the consensus arrangement.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Tumsah said their position was aimed at ensuring that due process and provisions of the Electoral Act were strictly followed.

“The three of us who are here are here to ensure that the right thing is done on the issue of consensus and that process has not been breached.

“We have the right to ask for direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act and the party guidelines,” he said.

Tumsah alleged that the process adopted by some stakeholders was close to imposition, insisting that the APC guidelines for direct primaries should be strictly adhered to.

“All we are saying is that the proper thing must be done. The provisions of the Electoral Act should be followed,” he said.

Also speaking, Machina said the aspirants remained loyal members of APC and were committed to the success of the party in the 2027 election.

“We are happy to be here today as brothers and sisters, leaders and followers under the umbrella of our great party, the APC.

“The three of us decided to form a common front to ensure that our party triumphs and secures victory in the forthcoming election,” he said.

Machina stressed the need for due process to be followed in the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate.

On his part, Maihaja said aspirants who accepted the consensus arrangement had acted based on personal convictions.

“Those who have gone must have looked at their personal parameters and accepted to go,” he said.

He, however, maintained that the remaining aspirants were committed to pursuing their ambitions through a transparent primary election process.