Story by Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
In a calculated political move aimed at ensuring continuity and stability, the Yobe Youth Forum has thrown its weight behind Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, the former Secretary to the State Government, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race.
The endorsement, announced Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre in Damaturu, signals a deliberate shift by the state’s youth toward prioritising seasoned administrative hands over untested contenders.
Addressing journalists, forum chairman Dr Mohammed Alkali Dilala made it clear that the group is not merely following a popular wave but making a strategic choice.
He emphasised that Wali’s deep experience in governance, having served as SSG, aligns perfectly with the developmental blueprint laid down by Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Rather than dwelling on loyalty to the governor, Dilala framed the decision as a pragmatic calculation.
“We need someone who already understands the machinery of government from day one. That is Baba Malam Wali.”
The forum explicitly linked its support to sustained youth inclusion, empowerment, and the consolidation of ongoing projects.
While other aspirants have remained quiet, the forum’s stance puts pressure on the APC to consider a consensus arrangement that rewards experience and expertise.
Dilala concluded that Yobe youths are ready to defend their choice at the polls, saying the group is “mobilised, united, and prepared to deliver decisive votes.”
The 2027 election is still over a year away, but this endorsement has already set the tone for a campaign built on experience over experimentation.
