By Chesa Chesa
A former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Yobe State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to build on the achievements of the current administration and improve the lives of citizens.
Speaking after submitting his nomination form to the party leadership in Abuja, Baba explained that he joined the race out of a strong desire to serve and lead the state to greater heights. “I am an indigene of Yobe State, and I want to contest for the office of Governor. I am in the race because I have the passion, credibility, and the attitude needed to lead,” he said.
He noted that his administration would focus on critical sectors such as education, agriculture, and healthcare, with a strong emphasis on job creation and improving livelihoods, particularly for young people in the state.
Baba also stressed that security would remain his top priority, describing it as the foundation for development. “If there is no security, you cannot function effectively, either as an indigene or as someone carrying out lawful business,” he added.
On reports of a consensus candidate within the party, the former police chief dismissed the claim, stating that he neither participated in nor agreed to any such arrangement. “If I believed in it, I would not be here,” he said.
Addressing the growing number of former police chiefs joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), Baba described it as a matter of personal choice. “We were not forced to be in APC; we all feel we should be there,” he explained.
He advised his supporters to carefully examine his programmes and the party’s manifesto before making their choice, assuring that his leadership would prioritise the protection of lives and property as the primary responsibility of government.
