Prominent lawyer, philanthropist, and development advocate, Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah (MFR), has officially declared his intention to contest the Yobe State governorship in the 2027 general elections, pledging to usher in a new era of progress, inclusion, and accountable leadership.
Tumsah made the announcement in Kano, at a gathering organized by the Yobe First Movement (YFM) — a grassroots political group that has been rallying citizens across the state to persuade him to join the race.
Speaking before an enthusiastic audience of youth leaders, women groups, and political stakeholders, Tumsah said the growing calls for his participation in Yobe’s leadership renewal could no longer be ignored.
“I have been closely monitoring the YFM movement and the passionate appeals from our youth, women, and respected elders,” he said. “This is a call that cannot be ignored by anyone who genuinely has the progress of Yobe and the future of its people at heart. Today, I stand before you to say I have accepted your call.”
Known for his decades-long humanitarian and community development work, Tumsah said his aspiration was rooted in a vision of transforming Yobe into a model of inclusive governance, economic diversification, and human capital development.
“For over twenty years, I have worked with communities across Yobe — from education and health interventions to water projects, empowerment programmes, and rural infrastructure. I believe that the time has come to consolidate these efforts through responsible governance and people-centred leadership,” he stated.
Tumsah confirmed that he would be contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the party as the most viable vehicle for advancing the state’s development agenda.
While appreciating the YFM for organizing the Kano event, he added that his formal declaration would take place soon in Yobe State, where he plans to engage citizens directly on his vision for transformation.
“Since this meeting is holding outside Yobe, I want to plead with you to give me some time to return home for an official declaration,” he said. “That event will not just be a political gathering — it will be a celebration of hope, unity, and the Yobe dream.”
Earlier, the Director-General of YFM, Comrade Lawan M. Ibrahim, said the group had made its choice after extensive consultations across the state. He described Tumsah as “a man of integrity and compassion, whose leadership footprint is visible in every part of Yobe.”
“Yobe has been yearning for a visionary leader who understands its needs and aspirations,” Ibrahim said. “Barrister Tumsah has consistently demonstrated that leadership through his interventions in education, road construction, water supply, empowerment of youth and women, and the provision of solar-powered streetlights in rural communities.”
He assured Tumsah of overwhelming grassroots support ahead of his homecoming, saying, “We are ready to welcome you to Yobe with a grand reception for your formal declaration. This movement represents the voice of the people, and together we will make history in 2027.”
With his declaration, Tumsah joins the growing list of political heavyweights expected to contest for the Yobe governorship, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the state’s most defining political contests in recent history.
Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah
