A former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has withdrawn from the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Yobe State.
Baba announced his withdrawal in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The retired police boss was among six APC governorship aspirants who had earlier rejected the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as consensus candidate and insisted on the conduct of direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines.
The aspirants included Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Mustapha Maihaja, Bashir Machina, former IGP Usman Baba, Kashim Musa Tumsah and Lawan Kolo Geidam.
Daily Trust reports that Lawan Kolo Geidam had earlier announced his withdrawal from the race and declared support for the consensus arrangement, reducing the number of aggrieved aspirants from six to five.
With Baba’s withdrawal, the number of dissenting aspirants has now dropped to four.
In his statement, Baba said his decision followed consultations with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, elders and other stakeholders across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He said the decision was taken in the interest of unity, stability and progress of the APC and Yobe State.
“The decision was not arrived at easily. It is a voluntary but obvious sacrifice we must make in the interest of party unity, stability and progress of our dear state,” he said.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and continue supporting the APC and its eventual governorship candidate.
The remaining aspirants are Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Mustapha Maihaja, Bashir Machina and Kashim Musa Tumsah.