By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Ibrahim Mohammed Ibbiyo, has rejected alleged attempts by the state government to impose a successor on Governor Mai Mala Buni ahead of the 2027 election, warning that any move to sidestep party and electoral guidelines will be challenged in court.
In a rejoinder made available to journalists in Damaturu, titled ‘Yobe 2027 and the Search for a Credible Successor’, Ibbiyo accused the state government and its allies of orchestrating a media campaign to promote preferred candidates who, according to him, lack the experience, exposure, and capacity to move the state forward.
He was reacting to an article published by Daily Trust on April 5, titled ‘Soft Options for Buni’s Successor’, which profiled some perceived frontrunners for the 2027 governorship race.
Ibbiyo described the report as a sponsored piece by the government of Yobe State, alleging that it was driven by forces around Governor Mai Mala Buni, particularly the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Mallam Wali, whom he suggested may be the administration’s “anointed candidate.”
He argued that governments seeking to “cover their tracks” often prefer successors who will either continue their style of governance or conceal their shortcomings. He stressed that the people of Yobe are more concerned with competence, credibility, and genuine development than with godfather politics.
