A wave of renewed optimism is sweeping through Yobe State’s political landscape as respected lawyer, philanthropist, and development advocate, Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah (MFR), declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, promising to chart a new course of inclusive growth and accountable leadership.
The declaration, which took place in Kano under the banner of the Yobe First Movement (YFM), brought together stakeholders, youth, and women’s groups from across the state — a reflection of the growing grassroots momentum behind Tumsah’s candidacy.
For weeks, the YFM — a civic-driven pressure group — had mobilized widespread calls urging Tumsah to enter the race, citing his legacy of service and integrity. And on Saturday, he finally answered.
“I have been closely monitoring the YFM movement and the passionate appeals from our youth, women, and respected elders,” Tumsah said, acknowledging the clamour. “This is a call that cannot be ignored by anyone who truly has Yobe’s future at heart. I, therefore, wish to tell you today that I have accepted your call.”
With that statement, the Kano hall erupted in cheers — a moment many described as the beginning of Yobe’s political reawakening.
For over two decades, Tumsah has carved a reputation as one of Yobe’s most consistent private sector contributors to social progress — facilitating access to education, healthcare, clean water, empowerment programmes, and rural road networks across communities. His humanitarian reach has long extended beyond partisan lines, earning him trust across divides.
Now, he says, it is time to institutionalize that service.
“We cannot continue to depend on chance or politics as usual. The future of Yobe must be built deliberately — through vision, integrity, and compassion,” he told the gathering. “I have always believed that leadership is about solving problems, not managing power. This is what my aspiration stands for.”
While confirming that he would seek the governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tumsah hinted that his formal declaration in Yobe State would soon follow, describing it as “a homecoming of hope.”
“Since this meeting is outside Yobe, I want to plead with you to give me some time to return home and make a formal declaration,” he said. “When we gather in Yobe, it will be a people’s event — not about politics, but about the future we want to build together.”
Earlier, the Director-General of the Yobe First Movement, Comrade Lawan M. Ibrahim, said the group’s call on Tumsah was born out of careful evaluation of his impact and character.
“Yobe needs a leader who combines competence with compassion, and we have found that in Barrister Tumsah,” Ibrahim said. “His long-standing interventions in education, rural roads, water projects, youth empowerment, and solar-powered streetlights prove his readiness to lead.”
He added that the movement would organize a grand reception when Tumsah returns to Yobe for his official declaration, vowing that the YFM would “mobilize every community and every ward” to make his victory in 2027 a reality.
Political watchers say Tumsah’s entrance into the race may redefine the dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections, given his appeal among grassroots voters, civil servants, and professionals who see him as a bridge between experience and modern governance.
With his declaration, one thing is clear — Yobe’s 2027 race is shaping into more than a contest for power; it is fast becoming a contest for vision, credibility, and the soul of the state’s future.