Compete On Unity, Progress, Not Rivalry, Buni Urges Yobe APC Youths

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has charged youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to shun unnecessary rivalry and compete on promoting unity, progress and the success of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Buni gave the charge last week while declaring open a two-day retreat organised by the Coalition of Yobe APC Political Organisations (COYAPO), with the theme, “Uniting Youth for a Better Democracy.”

He said unity remained one of the major strengths of Yobe State, noting that political activities in the state had largely been conducted without bitterness, a tradition he urged the youths and political organisations to preserve.

“Let me also use this occasion to caution the various political organisations against unnecessary rivalry. It is highly counterproductive to our target of building unity in the party.

“You are encouraged to compete on building unity in the party,” the governor said.

Buni commended COYAPO for bringing together more than 170 participants from various political organisations to deliberate on the coalition’s objectives and its contribution to the success of the APC.

He said the unity demonstrated by citizens during the recent swearing-in of political appointees, including the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, and chairmen and members of boards and commissions, was an endorsement of the government’s efforts and encouragement to pursue its development agenda.

“Unity of our citizens no doubt provides the government with a sense of confidence and encouragement to pursue developmental goals with focus and commitment, while disunity breeds confusion, diversion of attention and lack of focus,” he said.

The governor described the theme of the retreat as timely, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching, stressing that youths constitute the larger percentage of the population and remain an active force in the democratic process.

He urged participants to use the retreat to identify and address challenges capable of creating divisions within the APC, particularly at the ward, local government and state levels.

Buni said his administration had deliberately engaged youths in governance by combining experienced hands with young, energetic and vibrant minds to enhance productivity and service delivery, while preparing future leaders for the state.

He also highlighted the achievements of his administration over the last seven years in education, healthcare, roads and other infrastructure, power supply, agriculture and modern markets, saying the records had helped to strengthen public confidence in the APC.

The governor urged the participants to engage in meaningful discussions that would promote unity, peaceful coexistence and development, assuring them of the continued support of the APC government and party leadership for initiatives aimed at strengthening unity within the party.

He said the collective responsibility of the youths and political organisations was to protect the unity of the party, sustain peaceful political engagement and work towards the continued development of Yobe State.