Former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has stepped down from the race for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Baba announced his withdrawal in a statement issued to journalists after weeks of political consultations involving key stakeholders within and outside the state.
The former police chief had earlier aligned with five other governorship aspirants in opposing the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as the party’s consensus candidate.
The aggrieved aspirants had insisted that the APC should conduct direct primaries in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s guidelines.
However, Baba said he decided to withdraw from the contest after holding consultations with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, political associates, elders from Borno State, and stakeholders across the 17 local government areas of Yobe State.
“After due consultations and exhaustive meetings with the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the Executive Governors of Yobe and Borno state, elders and political associates, as well as some very critical stakeholders across the seventeen Local Government Areas, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration to the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
According to him, the move was taken in the interest of party cohesion and political stability in the state.
Baba also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and continue supporting the APC and its eventual governorship candidate.
“Having made this decision, we have to but urge our teaming supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to support our great party, the APC, as well as the eventual gubernatorial candidate”, he added.