By Adesakin Adefemi
Former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has withdrawn from the 2027 Yobe State governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, saying the decision was made to preserve party unity and stability.
Baba announced his exit in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, explaining that it followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders across Yobe and beyond. He said the move was aimed at ensuring a smooth process ahead of the APC governorship primaries.
“After due consultations and exhaustive meetings with the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governors of Yobe and Borno states, elders and political associates, as well as some very critical stakeholders across the seventeen Local Government Areas, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Baba stated.
The retired police chief described the decision as difficult but necessary, noting that personal ambition must sometimes give way to the collective interest of the party. He emphasized that the sacrifice was for the progress of Yobe State and the cohesion of the ruling APC.
Baba urged his supporters to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to the APC, regardless of who eventually emerges as the party’s candidate. He also reaffirmed his dedication to the development of Yobe despite stepping down from the race.
His withdrawal comes less than 24 hours after another APC aspirant, Alhaji Lawan Kolo Geidam, also exited the contest. Geidam’s decision followed a meeting of the G-6 group of aspirants with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja over the party’s succession arrangement in the state.
With Baba and Geidam out, the remaining APC governorship hopefuls include Senator Ibrahim Muhammed Bomai, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Bashir Sheriff Machina, and Kashim Musa Tumsah. The development has narrowed the field as the party prepares for its primaries.
Political observers note that the coordinated withdrawals suggest behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at preventing a divisive primary in Yobe. The involvement of Vice President Shettima and the governors of Yobe and Borno underscores the high-level interest in managing the succession process.
The APC in Yobe is expected to intensify consultations in the coming weeks as it moves closer to selecting a consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
