With about 32 months to the expiration of the tenure of the present Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, the political landscape of Yobe is earnestly becoming charged and tensed.
The whole political climate has been replete with political calculations aimed at succeeding the governor when his tenure expires on 29th May 2027.
So far, Three people are rumoured to have shown interest in clinching the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They are the former Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Senator Ibrahim Bomai and the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali.
Though none of them has publicly declared his intention to via for the number one seat, but many people in Yobe particularly politicians have described their recent political steps as ‘hidden agenda for 2027’.
For example, during the recent flooding in some parts of Yobe, all of them were quick to donate to the victims in a competitive manner apart from physically visiting the affected areas to sympathise with the people.
Not minding his political ingenuity, former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan is described by many as a political hard sell. Whatever might be the reason for the notion across Yobe, Lawan has a desperate desire to be governor at all cost.
Lawan perceived desperation for power is seen as a big minus to him. Another weakness is the fact that he would be spending 28 years in the National Assembly upon completing his tenure without much visible impacts for his people.
Another weakness for Lawan is that he is perceived to be tribalistic hence, many top politicians in Yobe are afraid of endorsing him largely due to fear of sidelining them after they help him to get to power.
The Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali is relatively inexperienced and believes in the unlikely support of Governor Buni to get the party’s governorship ticket.
One of the weaknesses of Wali is that many people consider him as very stingy, a character trait that pisses some off.
Another minus for Wali is that people of Yobe appear fed up with him, this was evident during his reappointment as SSG, many politicians were unhappy with Buni for reappointing him and therefore, handing over the governorship ticket of the Party to him may be a disaster in waiting.
For the Senator representing Yobe South, Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, he is a politician with a deep pocket though he has his own weaknesses, one of which is arrogance that is usually attributed to him.
Another minus for Bomai is the fact that he narrowly won his reelection in 2023 a development that has exposed him to be seen as becoming unpopular in his senatorial district.
Unless APC make a bright choice in 2027, the party may face herculean task to market the party’s flagbearer during the elections.
Husaini Mohammed Isa writes from Abuja.
