Yobe Senator withdraws from guber race, backs party leaders’ choice

Senator Musa Mustapha, representing Yobe East Senatorial District, has formally withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race in Yobe State, pledging full support for the candidate endorsed by party leaders.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Mustapha said his decision followed a commitment reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2026, at the Government House in Damaturu.

The meeting was convened by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam.

According to the senator, participants at the meeting unanimously agreed to support whichever aspirant the party leadership presents as its preferred governorship candidate.

“Exercising the spirit of integrity and responsibility, I hereby formally withdraw from the contest for the APC gubernatorial ticket,” Mustapha said, adding that he would also not seek the senatorial ticket but would instead support Governor Buni for the Senate.

He expressed confidence in the judgment of the party’s leadership and reiterated his loyalty to their decision, describing it as a step toward strengthening unity within the APC in Yobe State.

Mustapha also directed his supporters to shut down or repurpose all social media platforms promoting his ambition, urging them to channel their efforts toward supporting APC candidates across the state.

The lawmaker congratulated Baba Mallam Wali, the former Secretary to the State Government, who has emerged as the preferred governorship candidate of the party leaders.

He further thanked Governor Buni and Minister Gaidam for the opportunities given to him to serve in various capacities, including as Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board, commissioner, and senator.

Mustapha called on party members, traditional rulers, and supporters to remain united ahead of the forthcoming elections, stressing the need for collective efforts to ensure victory for the APC in Yobe State.