Former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba (retd.), has withdrawn from the 2027 Yobe State governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Baba announced his withdrawal in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, stating that the decision came after extensive consultations with political stakeholders and associates across the state and beyond.
The former police chief explained that the move was made in the interest of party unity, stability, and progress ahead of the APC governorship primaries.
He said, “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 described the move as a difficult but necessary sacrifice for the unity of the ruling party in Yobe State.
“The decision was not arrived at easily; it is voluntary but an obvious sacrifice we must make in the interest of party unity, stability and progress of our dear state,” he said.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and continue backing the APC and whoever eventually emerges as the party’s governorship candidate.
“Having made this decision, we urge our teeming supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to support our great party, the APC, as well as the eventual gubernatorial candidate,” Baba added.
The retired IGP further reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Yobe State despite stepping down from the race.
His withdrawal came less than 24 hours after another APC governorship aspirant, Lawan Kolo Geidam, also exited the contest.
Online had earlier reported that Geidam withdrew following a meeting involving members of a group of six APC governorship aspirants, popularly known as the G-6, and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja over the party’s succession arrangement in Yobe State.
The remaining aspirants include Ibrahim Muhammed Bomai, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Bashir Sheriff Machina, and Kashim Musa Tumsah.
