A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Ibbiyo, has dismissed alleged attempts to impose the successor of Governor Mai Mala Buni ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He warned that any move to sidestep party procedures and electoral guidelines would be challenged in court.
There are reports that some party Stakeholders have endorsed the immediate past Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Baba Malum Wali, as Buni’s successor.
In his reaction, Ibbiyo alleged that a media campaign is being used to promote preferred candidates who, according to him, lack the experience, exposure, and capacity required to move Yobe State forward.
He alleged that certain politicians were actively profiling perceived frontrunners for the 2027 governorship race through sponsored media publications.
According to him, some newspaper articles are government-backed efforts aimed at advancing individuals believed to be the “anointed candidates” of the current administration and influential interests within the APC.
He argued that governments seeking to “cover their tracks” often prefer successors who will either continue their style of governance or conceal their shortcomings.
However, he stressed that the people of Yobe are more concerned with capacity, competence, credibility, and genuine development than with godfather politics.
The APC chieftain maintained that when the so-called “government candidates” are compared with other potential aspirants, they fall short in critical areas.
He listed Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, Kashim Musa Tumsah, Alhaji Lawan Kolo, and Hon. Jibrin Maigari as politicians who deserve shots at the Government House.
“When you place the so-called ‘government candidates’ side by side with other credible options, it becomes clear that none of the anointed candidates comes close in terms of experience, exposure, and capacity to develop the state,” he said.
He also referenced a popular Hausa expression associated with blind loyalty to political benefactors — “da na ci amanan megidana gara na mutu” (I would rather die than betray my benefactor) — but warned against such loyalty when it is detached from truth and justice.
“Loyalty without truth is slavery. If your benefactor does not stand on the path of justice, following him blindly is a disservice to the people,” he cautioned.
Ibbiyo reminded party stakeholders that the processes for selecting candidates are clearly outlined in the APC constitution and electoral guidelines, warning against any attempt to circumvent due process.
“In my view, the guidelines for producing a successor are clearly spelt out in the electoral framework and the APC constitution. Any attempt to sidestep these guidelines will be resisted — we will meet in court, and history may well repeat itself,” he warned, without elaborating on the precedent.”