Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has urged aspirants contesting elective positions under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace consensus as the preferred method for selecting candidates ahead of the party primaries.
Key Highlights:
- Babagana Umara Zulum urged All Progressives Congress aspirants in Borno State to adopt consensus candidacy ahead of party primaries to maintain unity.
- The governor said direct primaries would only be used if stakeholders fail to agree on consensus candidates.
- Zulum assured party members that no candidate would be imposed on constituencies, emphasizing democratic consultations.
- Aspirants who voluntarily step down may be rewarded with appointments or future political opportunities at state or federal level.
- The governor presented Mustapha Gubio as the APC consensus governorship candidate and set up zonal consultative committees led by senior party figures.
Zulum made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri, describing consensus as the best approach to preserving unity within the party.
The APC primary elections are scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 16, with House of Representatives primaries and conclude on Saturday, May 23, with the presidential primary.
Addressing party leaders and aspirants, the governor commended stakeholders for their continued support for the APC and his administration.
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“As we prepare for the party primaries, which will commence on Friday, I want to remind all our aspirants contesting various elective positions that consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state,” Zulum said.
He added that direct primaries would only be adopted if consultations fail to produce consensus candidates.
“However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries,” he stated.
The governor also assured party members that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency, stressing his commitment to democratic principles and inclusive consultations.
“As a democrat, I will not force any candidate on a particular constituency, but rather encourage us to continue consultations with stakeholders for consensus candidates to emerge,” Zulum said.
He advised aspirants to remain loyal to the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries, noting that those who may not secure tickets in the 2027 elections could still benefit from future political opportunities.
Zulum further disclosed that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both the federal and state levels.
To strengthen consultations across the state, the governor constituted zonal consultative committees. Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur will head the Southern Zone committee, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, will coordinate the Central Zone, while Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno will oversee the Northern Zone.
The governor also formally presented Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC consensus governorship candidate, in fulfilment of a pledge he made during an earlier stakeholders’ meeting held on April 25.
Speaking at the meeting, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, and the party’s state chairman, Bello Ayuba, reiterated the importance of consensus in strengthening party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting was attended by several prominent party leaders and government officials, including former governor Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN), members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen, party executives, commissioners-designate, and other APC stakeholders.
