Former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race in Yobe State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Baba announced his withdrawal in a statement on Wednesday, saying the decision followed consultations with political leaders and stakeholders within and outside the state.
The retired police chief said the move was aimed at protecting party unity and stability ahead of the APC governorship primaries.
He said: “After due consultations and exhaustive meetings with the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governors of Yobe and Borno states, elders and political associates, as well as some very critical stakeholders across the seventeen Local Government Areas, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Baba described the decision as difficult but necessary for the progress of the party and the state.
“The decision was not arrived at easily; it is voluntary but an obvious sacrifice we must make in the interest of party unity, stability and progress of our dear state,” he said.
He also urged his supporters to remain peaceful and continue backing the APC and its eventual governorship candidate.
“Having made this decision, we urge our teeming supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to support our great party, the APC, as well as the eventual gubernatorial candidate,” Baba added.
The former police boss reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Yobe State despite stepping down from the race.
His withdrawal came less than 24 hours after another APC governorship aspirant, Lawan Kolo Geidam, also pulled out of the contest.
Geidam reportedly stepped down after a meeting involving members of the G-6 group of APC governorship aspirants and Vice President Shettima in Abuja over succession plans within the party in Yobe State.
The remaining aspirants in the race are Ibrahim Muhammed Bomai, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Bashir Sheriff Machina and Kashim Musa Tumsah.
