APC ready for direct primaries if consensus fails – Buni

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is committed to the conduct of free, fair and transparent primary election if consensus candidates fail to emerge.

This is contained in a statement by Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed in Damaturu on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six APC governorship aspirants in the state have rejected the endorsed candidate of the party’s critical stakeholders, Alhaji Baba Wali, and demanded the conduct of a credible direct primary election.

The aspirants are Sen. Ibrahim Bomoi of Yobe South, Alhaji Bashir Machina, Mr Kashim Musa-Tumsah, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Alhaji Lawan Kolo and Retd. Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Baba.

Buni said the party had not foreclosed direct election mode to produce its candidates for the contestable offices for the 2027 general election.

“The emergence of Baba Mallam Wali as the preferred candidate of the party, followed the resolutions of the critical stakeholders meeting of the 23rd of April 2026.

“He was endorsed and adopted as the preferred candidate, but if there is no general agreement, we shall adopt the election mode.

“This is not new. In 2019, l was nominated as a consensus candidate, a few other aspirants contested the decision, and we went for election where l emerged as the party’s candidate with a very wide margin. We are ready to repeat that history if we cannot reach consensus” he said.

The governor, however, said the party was still reaching out to the aggrieved aspirants and other stakeholders to arrive at an amicable resolution through dialogue.

“l will be the happiest person to see the state and party peaceful and united; we remain citizens of Yobe state and members of APC.

“My expectation is to see us more united and collectively working for our candidates to win the 2027 general election.

“As a founding member, former Secretary and National chairman of the All Progressives Congress, the unity and progress of the party means so much to me personally. I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to remain Nigeria’s ruling political party,” Buni said.

The governor expressed optimism that the aspirations for public offices by all aspirants in the state were driven by the desire to serve the people for a better and improved life.