A youth group under the aegis of Nguru Ina Mafita has called for the zoning of the Yobe State governorship ticket to Yobe North (Zone C), insisting it is a matter of fairness and justice.
The leader of the group, Ibrahim Mohammed Abubakar, in a statement, said since the return of democracy in 1999, governorship positions in the state had largely been occupied by individuals from Yobe East (Zone A), with the exception of the late Mamman Ali from Yobe South (Zone B), who served briefly before his death.
Abubakar added that Zone B had also consistently produced deputy governors, except for a brief period when Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam from Zone A, who later became governor following the death of Mamman Ali, held the position.
He lamented that Yobe North (Zone C) had not produced a governor, deputy governor, or minister since 1999, adding that even the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) slot zoned to the area had been occupied by one person for nearly 12 years.
According to him, stakeholders across the zone are united in their demand for the next governor to emerge from Yobe North.
He said the youth of Nguru LGA, under the banner of Nguru Ina Mafita, had resolved to support Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Tafidan Nguru Emirate, to contest the governorship seat.
Abubakar described Maihaja as a seasoned politician and experienced administrator capable of driving development in the state, noting his previous roles, including two governorship bids in 2007 and 2015, as well as serving as Director of Campaign Planning for the Presidential Campaign Council that brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to power in 2023.
He urged Maihaja not to ignore the calls from Nguru elders and youths to contest, insisting that the appeal reflected the collective will of the people of the area.
“This is not just a personal wish, but the wish of the people of Nguru LGA. As an elder statesman, he must respect the will of his people,” he said.