Group Warns Against Imposition of Candidate in Yobe

By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu

A group under the aegis of the First Forum for Peace and Development in Yobe State has warned against the alleged imposition of a candidate in the governorship race of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the party primaries in Yobe State.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Lawan M. Ibrahim, the group alleged that the state party chairman openly identified with a potential governorship aspirant before the commencement of the party’s primary election process.

The group further alleged that the chairman recently appeared publicly alongside a former governor and participated in endorsing and raising the hand of the aspirant even before the purchase of his nomination form.

According to the statement, the action conveyed a unilateral endorsement and suggested an attempt to impose a preferred candidate on party members.

“The office of the State Chairman requires strict neutrality to serve as an unbiased umpire in the upcoming party primaries and other leadership selection processes,” the statement said.

The group stated that the chairman’s action had allegedly undermined the confidence of party members in the fairness, openness, and democratic integrity of the process, particularly at a time when other aspirants had already purchased nomination forms with the understanding that a free and fair direct primary election would be conducted.

To restore trust and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants, the group called on the chairman to either resign from his position or withdraw from all party-related activities with immediate effect.

The statement added that the party must demonstrate that no individual is above its rules and that internal democracy remains sacrosanct.

According to the group, the chairman’s voluntary resignation would help de-escalate tension and reassure party members and aspirants that the primaries would be transparent, free, fair, and credible.

The group noted that its demand was made in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the APC Constitution, and other relevant laws.