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By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The political landscape in Yobe North received a fresh boost for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday as thousands of opposition supporters formally defected to the ruling party at a colourful mega rally in Nguru.
The massive gathering, held at Dandal, Emir’s Palace, Nguru, brought together APC leaders, elected officials, party loyalists and supporters from across the Yobe North Senatorial District, in what party leaders described as a renewed grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The major attraction of the rally was the formal defection of Goni Usman, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Machina State Constituency, and Salisu Lawan Idrissa Jakada of Nguru Local Government Area.
They were joined by about 6,000 supporters who declared their allegiance to the APC, citing the development initiatives and governance approach of the APC administration in the state.
Receiving the defectors, Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, welcomed the new members and praised the organisers for what he described as a demonstration of the party’s growing grassroots strength.
Buni urged the new entrants and existing members to work together to strengthen the APC across the senatorial district.
He also called for unity among party members, stressing that a cohesive party structure would be essential to sustaining the APC’s performance in the 2027 elections.
The Governor further urged supporters to mobilise voters and support all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The rally also provided a major platform for the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, to outline his vision for Yobe beyond 2027.
Wali pledged to sustain and consolidate the programmes and development initiatives of the Buni administration if elected governor.
According to him, his administration would build on existing policies while introducing additional initiatives designed to improve the welfare of citizens and accelerate development across the state.
He described continuity as the preservation of programmes that are producing results, while allowing room for fresh ideas where necessary.
“Continuity is about sustaining what is working, consolidating the gains already achieved and introducing new initiatives where necessary to further improve the lives of our people,” Wali said.
He assured voters that he would remain committed to the development agenda and would work diligently to move Yobe forward.
Gadaka Charges New Members
The APC State Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, also welcomed the defectors, urging them to immediately become active participants in strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots.
Gadaka called on party members across Yobe North to remain united and committed to the APC as the 2027 elections approach.
He equally urged supporters to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wali and other APC candidates during the elections.
The rally attracted National Assembly members, state lawmakers, commissioners, special advisers, local government chairmen, party executives and other prominent APC stakeholders.
The heavy turnout from communities across Yobe North underscored the renewed mobilisation efforts of the APC as the party prepares for the 2027 political contest.
For the APC leadership in Yobe, the Nguru rally was not merely a reception for defectors but another opportunity to strengthen its grassroots structures, consolidate its support base and project continuity as a central theme of its campaign ahead of 2027.
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