NIGERIA: APC Will Hold Direct Primaries In Yobe If Consensus Fails, Says Governor Buni

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will conduct direct primaries in the state if consensus arrangements fail to produce candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Buni stated this in a release issued by his Director-General of Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Sunday.

The governor’s position comes after six governorship aspirants rejected the endorsement of Alhaji Baba Wali as the party’s preferred candidate by critical stakeholders. The aspirants, Sen. Ibrahim Bomoi, Alhaji Bashir Machina, Mr Kashim Musa-Tumsah, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Alhaji Lawan Kolo, and retired Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Baba, have demanded a credible direct primary.

Buni explained that the endorsement of Baba Wali followed the resolution of a critical stakeholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2026, but stressed that the party has not closed the door on direct primaries if consensus cannot be reached.

He recalled that in 2019, he was initially adopted as a consensus candidate but had to go through a primary election after some aspirants challenged the arrangement, where he eventually won by a wide margin.

The governor said efforts are still ongoing to engage the aggrieved aspirants and other stakeholders through dialogue to resolve the matter amicably. He expressed confidence that the party would uphold internal democracy and ensure a level playing field for all members.

Buni appealed to all APC members in Yobe State to promote unity and work collectively towards the party’s victory in the 2027 elections, including President Bola Tinubu’s

second-term bid.