Former Police Chief Pulls Out of Yobe State APC Gubernatorial Contest

Usman Alkali Baba, the former Inspector-General of Police, has pulled out of the 2027 Yobe State governorship election, which he was contesting on the All Progressives Congress platform, a decision he announced in a statement on Wednesday.

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This move, according to Baba, was made after consulting extensively with various stakeholders and associates within and outside the state, in a bid to prioritize party unity and stability ahead of the APC governorship primaries.

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Baba explained that his decision to withdraw was influenced by discussions with Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governors of Yobe and Borno states, and other key stakeholders across the 17 Local Government Areas, leading him to drop his aspiration for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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He characterized this decision as a difficult but necessary sacrifice for the unity of the ruling party in Yobe State, emphasizing that it was not taken lightly and was made voluntarily to ensure the party's progress.

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Baba appealed to his supporters to remain calm and continue backing the APC, as well as the party's eventual gubernatorial candidate, in a bid to maintain party cohesion and stability.

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Despite withdrawing from the governorship race, the retired Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Yobe State, underscoring his dedication to the state's progress.

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Baba's withdrawal from the contest comes less than 24 hours after another APC governorship aspirant, Alhaji Lawan Kolo Geidam, also decided to exit the race, following a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima to discuss the party's succession arrangement in Yobe State.

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The list of remaining aspirants now includes Senator Ibrahim Muhammed Bomai, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Bashir Sheriff Machina, and Kashim Musa Tumsah, who are all vying for the APC governorship ticket.