Mai Mala Buni clinched the All Progressives Congress ticket for Yobe East Senatorial zone unopposed today. The Yobe governor was the sole aspirant vying for the slot.
Incumbent Senator Musa Mustapha moved the motion to return him as candidate. House of Representatives member Lawan Shettima seconded the motion immediately.
Babagana Ajimi, who chairs the APC electoral committee, put the question to a vote. Delegates affirmed Buni unanimously as the party's sole nominee.
Ibrahim Gaidam, Nigeria's Minister of Police Affairs, praised zone A delegates for their conduct. He commended them for cooperating peacefully throughout the exercise.
Buni expressed gratitude to party members who purchased nomination forms for him. He also thanked political office holders in the zone for their support.
According to him, Yobe East has shown remarkable political maturity over time. "The zone has consistently advanced democracy in our state," he noted.
He singled out Senator Mustapha for special recognition during his remarks. In his words, the senator "showed exceptional traits of a fine gentleman and democrat."
Buni acknowledged Mustapha's decision to abandon his governorship bid for party consensus. "This sacrifice will never be forgotten, God willing," the governor added.
He formally accepted the nomination for the senatorial race. Buni pledged to represent constituents' interests above all else at the National Assembly.
Other aspirants should respect the party's decision, Buni urged. He called for united support behind Baba Malam Wali's gubernatorial ambition.
Party leadership must now mobilize for victory in Yobe, he insisted. Strategy sessions should begin immediately to ensure candidate success.
Buni emphasized the need for mass voter participation across the state. "We must deliver Yobe to the APC decisively," he stressed.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election also requires maximum effort, according to him. "We'll achieve unprecedented victory at the polls," Buni concluded.
