Igbo Community, Gulani Stakeholders Pledge Support for Wali
By Ahmed Isah
The Igbo community in Yobe and stakeholders from Gulani Local Government Area have pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, mni, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups made the commitment separately on Wednesday when they paid courtesy visits to Wali in Damaturu.
The Igbo community delegation, led by its leader, Mr Sunday Igwe Izewane, said members considered Yobe their home and were committed to contributing to the development of the state.
Izewane, who said he was born and raised in Northern Nigeria, commended Wali for the support and cooperation he extended to members of the Igbo community while serving as Secretary to the Yobe State Government.
He said the visit was also an opportunity for the community to reciprocate the goodwill received from Wali by supporting his governorship ambition.
According to him, the associations have, over the past two years, encouraged their members across the 17 local government areas of the state to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to promote participation in the electoral process.
He assured Wali that members of the community would participate in his campaign activities and support him and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Similarly, stakeholders from Gulani Local Government Area, led by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation, Alhaji Aji Yerima Bularafa, pledged their loyalty and support to Wali and the APC.
Bularafa described Gulani as an APC stronghold, saying the local government had consistently contributed substantial votes to the party during previous elections.
He assured Wali that the stakeholders would mobilise support for the party across the 12 wards and 133 polling units in the local government area.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport and Energy, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed Bara, said political structures had been established across the wards and polling units to mobilise support for the APC.
He urged Wali to concentrate his campaign efforts on other areas, assuring him that Gulani was prepared to deliver substantial votes for him.
Responding to the two delegations, Wali expressed appreciation for their support and solidarity.
He described the Igbo community as industrious and enterprising, noting that its contributions to commerce, business and other economic activities could support the development of the state.
Wali also assured the Igbo community of his readiness to work with it and other groups to promote economic growth, cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the Gulani stakeholders, he pledged to sustain the policies and programmes of Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s administration, with emphasis on continuity, consolidation and further development.
He said his prospective administration would build on the achievements of the Buni administration, particularly through the expansion of road networks and improved access to healthcare facilities.
According to him, connecting rural communities through roads and healthcare infrastructure would enhance commercial activities, strengthen local economies and improve the living conditions of residents.
The APC candidate said his administration, if elected, would sustain ongoing development efforts while exploring additional opportunities to accelerate growth across the state.
The Gulani stakeholders later conferred the traditional title of Dan Masanin Gulani on Wali in recognition of his relationship with the people and the solidarity expressed during the engagement.
