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… Party says stakeholders’ll decide next gov collectively
•Inuwa
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculations that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya will singlehandedly anoint his successor ahead of the 2027 election.
The party is insisting that it will adopt a consultative and consensus-driven process to produce a candidate capable of sustaining what it describes as the governor’s “legacy of good governance”.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Ambassador Moses Kyari, underscored the importance of continuity in governance, while making it clear that succession would not be a one-man affair. According to him, the governor has performed creditably and deserves commendation, but the choice of who succeeds him lies with the party and its stakeholders.
“That is the difference between the APC and other parties. The party will sit down with all major stakeholders and will agree on a consensus candidate. The constitution of the party says so. It is not going to be a matter of the governor alone handpicking a successor,” Kyari declared.
Continuity as a Political Imperative
Kyari maintained that the party’s central objective going into 2027 is to ensure that the achievements recorded under Governor Yahaya’s administration are not reversed. He stressed that continuity is of paramount importance, adding that whoever emerges must meet the benchmark set by the governor, if not surpass it.
“Anybody who is going to take over from Inuwa cannot go below what he has done. That is the worst-case scenario. But the person must be able to do better,” Kyari emphasised.
He pointed to the governor’s developmental record in the last six years, ranging from health sector reforms to infrastructural expansion, as a political capital the APC intends to consolidate. The spokesman referenced international recognition, noting that the United Nations and private sector figures have acknowledged Governor Yahaya’s performance.
“If the United Nations and global stakeholders can recognise his impact, what then can opposition politicians say,” he asked rhetorically.
Deflecting Opposition Criticism
The Publicity Secretary dismissed the recently formed coalition of opposition parties, describing it as a “coalition of confusion” and a gathering of “disgruntled politicians desperate for power”. He argued that the coalition, largely comprising defectors from the APC and PDP, poses no credible threat in Gombe or nationally.
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He cited APC victories in recently conducted by-elections across Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba states among others as evidence that the ruling party remains firmly in control ahead of 2027.
He said, “If by-elections are a measure of what to expect in 2027, then the imagination is better left to Nigerians. APC is a national party, not a regional or opportunistic platform. We have proven that we remain the choice of the people”.
Succession Politics: Avoiding the Godfatherism syndrome
The spokesman’s remarks are particularly significant in the context of Nigeria’s political culture, where sitting governors often wield overwhelming influence in determining their successors. Critics have long accused ruling parties of allowing governors to play the role of kingmakers, sidelining internal democracy in the process.
By openly rejecting the idea of Governor Yahaya imposing a successor, the APC in Gombe State appears eager to project itself as different. Kyari said the party will not allow succession politics to be reduced to the whims of a single individual, no matter how highly placed.
“We know the governor has his views and preferences, which is natural, but APC will collectively decide. All stakeholders will have a voice, and the people will know we followed due process. That is our assurance,” Kyari assured.
Building Toward 2027
Though the publicity secretary insists “it is not yet time for politics,” the undertone of Kyari’s comments suggests that succession conversations are already shaping strategy within the APC. By promoting consensus, the party hopes to avoid internal fractures that could give the opposition a foothold.
Kyari reassured Gombe citizens that the party is mindful of the stakes. “We are not unmindful of the fact that the people want stability. They want governance to continue seamlessly. That is why consensus is important, it reduces rancour and ensures unity going into elections,” he explained.
The Bigger Picture
For observers, the APC’s posture signals an attempt to balance two competing realities: the influence of an incumbent governor and the need for collective ownership of succession. If successfully managed, this approach could strengthen party cohesion and reinforce Yahaya’s legacy. If mishandled, however, it could trigger the kind of factionalism that has weakened ruling parties in other states.
What is clear is that the APC in Gombe is determined to control the narrative early. By ruling out a unilateral decision from Governor Yahaya, the party is betting on a consultative model to preserve its dominance. The political calculation is simple: a fractured APC could hand the opposition an opening, but a united front could guarantee continuity beyond 2027 for the party.
For now, the ruling party has set its sights on consensus, stability, and what Kyari calls “continuity of good governance and dividends of democracy”. The real test, however, will come when succession moves from rhetoric to reality.
