Former Police Chief Withdraws From Yobe Gov’ship Race

A former inspector-general of police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has stepped down from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race.

He announced his withdrawal in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

Baba was among the six APC governorship aspirants who had earlier rejected the consensus candidate, Baba Malam Wali, and insisted on the conduct of direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026 guidelines.

He said his decision to withdraw followed consultations with the Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Mai Mala Buni, elders, and stakeholders across Yobe State, as well as with the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.

“The decision was not easily made, it was a sacrifice for the party’s unity, stability and progress of our Yobe State”, he said.

Baba urged his supporters to remain united, calm and law-abiding and continue to support the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.

With the former Inspector General’s withdrawal, the number of aggrieved aspirants have dropped from six to four. Earlier, Lawan Kolo Geidam an aspirant also withdrew from the race and declared support for the consensus candidate.

The governorship aspirants include Kashim Musa Tumsah, Mustapha Maihaja, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Bashir Machina, former IGP Usman Alkali Baba, and Lawan Kolo Geidam.

The remaining aspirants now are Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Mustapha Maihaja, Kashima Musa Tumsah and Bashir Machina.