By Ndahi Marama, Damaturu

Supporters under the platform of Yobe East Solidarity Movement (YESM) have urged Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai to contest the 2027 Yobe governorship election, citing his legislative record and developmental projects.

Speaking at the gathering in Damaturu, a former Commissioner for Water Resources in Yobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu Bakabe, described the movement as people-driven and rooted in long-standing political advocacy in the state.

Bakabe said the agitation for leadership from Yobe East was not new, noting that similar efforts existed during the era of late Gov. Mamman Ali.

According to him, the zone had produced limited tenures in the past, arguing that the time had come for a fair opportunity to produce a governor.

He said the group had not commenced formal campaigns but would embark on consultations across the state to present Bomai’s credentials and promote unity among party members.

“We are not here to fight anybody. We are one family and this is just the beginning,” Bakabe said.

Also speaking, the Pioneer Secretary of the Bomai Support Group, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the event was organised by the Yobe East Solidarity Movement to respond to growing calls for Bomai to vie for the office.

Mohammed said Bomai’s performance in the Senate, particularly within his first two terms, had earned him recognition beyond Yobe East.

He noted that Bomai chaired a major Senate committee in his second term, describing the feat as unprecedented for a first-time ranking senator from the state.

According to him, Bomai, a retired civil servant with 35 years of service, understands governance processes and has demonstrated people-oriented leadership.

Mohammed added that Bomai’s entry into partisan politics in 2018 altered political dynamics in the zone, leading to his victory over an incumbent by a wide margin.

On zoning, he said power rotation remained a legitimate political arrangement and supported the shift to another zone to deepen inclusion and equity in the state.

An elder of the movement from Zone A, Alhaji Muhammed Gordi, said despite being from a different zone, he considered Bomai fit to govern due to his contributions to infrastructure and human development across Yobe.

Gordi said leadership should be based on capacity and track record rather than sectional interests.

Similarly, Abba Soso Geidam, a member of the Yobe East Solidarity Movement, said the group was formed to promote Bomai’s candidacy based on his qualifications and achievements.

Geidam cited road construction and other constituency projects as indicators of Bomai’s commitment to development, describing him as a strong contender for the 2027 election.

He said the movement would continue to mobilise support across the state ahead of the polls.