Six aspirants for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State have issued a formal vote of no confidence in the state party chairman, Alh. Mohammed Gadaka, accusing him of bias in the conduct of the upcoming primary election.
In a statement released after a meeting in Abuja on 15 April, the six candidates said they could no longer trust Gadaka to oversee a “free, fair, transparent and credible” direct primary. The aspirants demanded his immediate withdrawal from all responsibilities related to the organization and supervision of Yobe State’s APC primary election.
“The continuous apparent partisanship displayed by the Yobe State APC Chairman makes it clear that he is highly compromised,” the statement read. “Consequently, we have no confidence that he can conduct or supervise a credible primary. We therefore demand his immediate removal from any role in the primary process.”
The complainants did not name themselves in the release, but they represent a significant faction within the state’s APC structure. Their protest follows reports of internal disagreements over the timetable, venue selection and voter accreditation process for the direct primary, which is scheduled for later this month.
While the group called for Gadaka’s removal, the statement affirmed continued loyalty to the national APC leadership and reiterated support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re‑election campaign. “Our confidence in the national party remains unchanged, and we stand behind President Tinubu’s bid for a second term,” the aspirants added.
The Yobe State chapter of the APC has not yet responded to the allegations. Party officials in Abuja indicated that the national secretariat is monitoring the situation and will intervene if the integrity of the primary is threatened. The APC’s constitution provides mechanisms for the removal of a state chairman, typically requiring a formal petition and a vote by the party’s governing council.
The dispute highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. Internal cohesion has been a recurring issue for the APC, with several state chapters experiencing similar tensions over candidate selection and election management. Observers note that unresolved grievances at the state level could affect voter perception and the party’s performance in upcoming elections.
The Yobe APC primary is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Should the aspirants’ demand be met, an interim chair or a neutral overseer may be appointed to ensure the process proceeds without further controversy. The outcome will be watched closely by party members and political analysts alike, as it may set a precedent for handling internal disputes ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 electoral calendar.
