By Peter Omopo
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has firmly denied reports suggesting he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join a coalition of opposition leaders led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The denial comes after viral messages circulated on social media claiming that Governor Buni, along with four other APC governors — Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Nasiru Idris (Kebbi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Umaru Bago (Niger) — were preparing to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the speculation, the Director General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Muhammad, described the reports as “baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination, and assumptions that bear no resemblance to reality in any way, shape, or form.”
Muhammad emphasized that the individuals behind the viral claims had no credible access to Governor Buni or insight into his political plans.
“It is a great disservice and poor political calculation if these individuals believe they can build momentum for Atiku Abubakar’s political aspirations through baseless fabrications and unfounded assumptions,” Muhammad said.
“They are only engaged in a wild goose chase, exposing their ignorance like a torchlight in the dark.”
He further highlighted Governor Buni’s deep-rooted loyalty to the APC, pointing out his pivotal roles as a former two-term National Secretary, a former National Chairman, and Chair of the Party’s Convention Committee.
“Governor Buni is not just an APC governor; he embodies the APC spirit entirely, with the party’s ideals flowing through his veins,” Muhammad stated. “His contributions to the party are foundational, and his loyalty is unquestionable.”
He concluded by describing the rumors as mere “wishful thinking” on the part of those who, he said, envied Governor Buni’s political stature and influence.
