THE Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni has thrown his weight behind former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, naming him as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
The endorsement was announced in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja.
Party leaders described Wali as an experienced technocrat with the capacity to drive governance and sustain the state’s development trajectory, citing his long-standing involvement in multiple administrations.
The forum also reaffirmed its earlier decision to adopt a consensus approach in selecting candidates and endorsed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Buni, alongside stakeholders’ chairman Ibrahim Geidam, emphasized continued dialogue to strengthen unity within party ranks.
Wali, who hails from Nguru in Yobe North, a region yet to produce a governor or deputy governor since 1999 has built a lengthy public service career spanning roles in the Chad Basin Development Authority, MAMSER, and the Borno State Government.
He later rose through the ranks as a Permanent Secretary across several ministries before serving as SSG under both Geidam and Buni.
In March, he was recognised by the Progressive Governors Forum as Nigeria’s longest-serving SSG.
His emergence as the APC’s preferred candidate is also seen as addressing regional balance within the state.
Meanwhile, Buni has declared his intention to contest the Yobe East Senatorial seat in the next general elections, stating that his decision followed sustained calls from party stakeholders and supporters.
The seat is currently held by Musa Mustapha.
