Six governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe have rejected the alleged endorsement of a consensus candidate.

They described the development as unlawful, divisive and inconsistent with democratic principles guiding the party’s internal electoral process.

The aspirants made their position known in a communiqué issued after a strategic meeting in Abuja on Friday.

The document, later made available to journalists in Damaturu, was signed by Usman Baba and Mustapha Maihaja.

Others were Ibrahim Bomai, Lawan Geidam, Kashim Tumsah and Bashir Machina.

The aspirants said the reported endorsement violated relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

They also maintained that the action contradicted the constitution of the APC.

“The purported endorsement did not follow due process required by law,” the communiqué stated.

They insisted that consensus arrangements must strictly follow laid-down legal and constitutional procedures.

According to them, any consensus process must be transparent, inclusive and acceptable to all aspirants.

They said such procedures would strengthen confidence in the party’s internal democratic structures.

“Any candidate produced outside due process may face legitimacy concerns,” they noted.

The aspirants said party unity should never come at the expense of justice.

They maintained that aspirants deserved equal opportunities in the governorship race.

According to them, dialogue remains possible where sincerity and fairness exist.

However, they said direct primaries should be adopted if consensus efforts collapse.

“A direct primary remains the fairest democratic option,” the communiqué added.

They urged the party to ensure the process remained open and credible.

The aspirants also raised concerns about the conduct of the Yobe APC chairman, accusing him of displaying apparent partisanship in the ongoing political consultations.

“The chairman appears compromised in the management of this process,” they alleged.

They argued that his continued involvement could undermine confidence among party stakeholders.

The aspirants demanded his immediate withdrawal from primary election responsibilities.

They said an impartial official should supervise the governorship nomination exercise.

Despite their position, they reaffirmed loyalty to the APC national leadership.

They expressed confidence in the leadership’s commitment to fairness and justice.

The aspirants also pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring support for his re-election in 2027.

“Our loyalty to the party and President Tinubu remains unwavering,” they stated. 

Recall that some political stakeholders in Yobe State recently endorsed a former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali, as preferred successor to Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose two-term tenure ends in 2027. 

(NAN)