Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

As 2027 general elections are approaching, over 8 aspirants from the three senatorial districts of Yobe state are jostling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Notably among them are the current Secretary to the Yobe State Government and the longest SSG in Northeastern Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW) mni; the former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the longest member at the National Assembly since 1999 up to date and the current Senator for the Yobe North Senatorial District, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, GCON (SAIL), Sardaunan Bade; and Senator Mohammed Ibrahim Bomai (MIB), two-term Senator for the Yobe South Senatorial District and Madakin Fika Emirate Council.

Others notable among them include Senator Musa Mustapha (COOLERS), current Senator of the Yobe East Senatorial District; Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, former Deputy Governor of Yobe State and former Minister of Power and Jarman of the Pataskum Emirate Council; and Kashim Musa Tumsah, a lawyer and diplomat, and hosts of others. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been ruling the state since the return of democracy in 1999 or since the creation of the state. Muhammad Abba, a political analyst in the state, revealed that we are advising the party stakeholders in the state that if they want the party to continue ruling the state, they should adopt the rotation or zoning formula so that every senatorial district will benefit from the governorship seat in the state.

Dr. Garba Adamu, also a political analyst in the state, said rotation or zoning is the best option for the APC in the state, adding that since the creation of the state, Zone A, or the Yobe East Senatorial District, for a long time has held the power or has produced the governor, and the Yobe South Senatorial District has produced only one governor, Mamman B. Ali, who spent only 18 months in office before he died. But in the Yobe North Senatorial District, Zone C, they never produce anything else, neither the governor nor the deputy; they never get the opportunity or the chance.

He added that, but this time around if the party wants to win the election easily without facing any challenges from the opposition party, they should reintroduce the zoning system because it will encourage the electorates to come out en masse to vote for the party, especially from Zone C, because they picked its son to be the party candidate. However, he said the best candidate from the zone, who would win the election 100%, is Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW), the current secretary to the state government; he has the capacity, and he has the experience to handle the affairs of the state because of his long experience in administration.

According to him, the election of Baba Mallam Wali as the fifth democratically elected governor of Yobe State will steady impactful walks through the corridors of power at both local and state levels. He is a man blessed with a character of humility, sympathy, and accessibility and a genius in letting go of what rightfully and lawfully belongs to him for peace to reign. However, BMW’s plan is to continue building on what they call the “Renewed Hope and Vision of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the legacy of His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Geidam,” aimed at delivering a better life for residents of Yobe State.

“Baba Mallam Wali’s agenda is anchored on People-Oriented Development (POD), a strategy designed to ensure that government decisions directly continue to improve the daily lives of citizens. Alhaji Idris Musa, also a political analyst in the state, reiterates his call to the APC-led administration in Yobe State to adopt the rotation formula aimed to balance its political equations, adding that if care is not carefully taken in Yobe politics this time and if they fail to implement the zoning formula, they will face the consequences because likely the opposition party will win the election, because the two senatorial zones will react, especially Zone C and Zone B.

Zone C deserved to pick the governorship ticket of Yobe State in 2027, and if there is fairness, equity, and justice in the 2027 election, then from Zone C, the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali MNI, is capable and has the capacity to hold the ticket, and he will deliver, inshallah.

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

Reprisal attack leaves two dead as plateau govt imposes curfew in Jos

By: Zagazola Makama

A reprisal attack has claimed the lives of two persons in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, following an earlier shooting incident along the Jos–Bauchi highway.

A security source said the incident occurred on March 29 at Angwan Rukuba junction, where residents allegedly carried out retaliatory attacks on passersby after a morning assault by gunmen.

According to the source, the initial attack, which occurred at about 7:30 a.m., involved assailants who drove on a vehicle and opened fire on commuters, killing several persons and injuring others before fleeing the scene.

Security sources blamed the attack on cultist, while some blame it on the fulani bandits, sone said they are Boko Haram while some maintain that the attackers were some criminal elements because they fled in a vehicle.

Sources however said that in the aftermath of the shooting, some aggrieved residents reportedly attacked unsuspecting passersby on the highway, resulting in the death of two persons,” the source said.

He added that the situation created heightened tension in the area, with fears of further escalation.

The situation further compounded after a Foreigner went to the scene of the accident to demonstrate and threatened to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying will regret what he was doing for not admitting Christian Genocide.

The Plateau State Government subsequently imposed an immediate 48-hour curfew to restore calm and prevent additional reprisal attacks.

The source said casualties from the incidents had been evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), while security agencies had commenced investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.

He noted that no arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report.

The source further stressed the need for sustained security presence and community engagement to de-escalate tensions and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Security agencies have also intensified patrols and surveillance in the area, as efforts continue to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of residents.

Reprisal attack leaves two dead as plateau govt imposes curfew in Jos

Troops launch manhunt after assassination Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, Fulani community leader in Plateau state

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have launched a manhunt for unknown assailants who shot dead Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindir in Gashish area of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A security source said the incident occurred at about 11:45 p.m. on March 28, when troops responded to reports of sporadic gunshots.

According to the source, on arrival, troops discovered that Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri, had been shot dead in his residence by unidentified gunmen who fled the scene before security operatives arrived.

The source added that troops recovered two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 29 spent shells from the scene.

He said the remains of the deceased were released to the family for burial in accordance with local customs.

The source noted that investigations have commenced, while troops have intensified patrols and launched a manhunt to track down the perpetrators.

Troops launch manhunt after assassination Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, Fulani community leader in Plateau state