Governor Babagana Zulum on Thursday praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima following the emergence of Engineer Mustapha Gubio as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 elections in Borno State.
Speaking shortly after the party’s affirmation ceremony in Maiduguri, Zulum described Gubio’s emergence as divinely ordained rather than the product of political manoeuvring, while commending Tinubu and Shettima for fostering a peaceful and consensus-driven process.
“What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah,” the governor told party delegates and supporters. “Allah, in His infinite wisdom, gives power to whom He wills.”
Zulum said the smooth conduct of the APC primary process reflected growing internal unity within the ruling party in Borno, one of the APC’s strongest political strongholds in the North-East.
“I want to convey my deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed my boss, Senator Kashim Shettima, for all the support they have rendered to us that ensured the consensus leading to the emergence of Alhaji Mustapha Gubio,” he said.
The governor further praised the two leaders for creating what he described as an enabling environment for rancour-free primaries, adding that their commitment to internal democracy had strengthened cohesion within the party.
Gubio emerged as the APC consensus candidate following consultations among party stakeholders, political leaders and influential blocs across the state.
The affirmation ceremony, held at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri, was supervised by the chairman of the Borno APC primary election committee, Emma Eneukwu.
Vice President Shettima, who attended the event, called for reconciliation and unity among party members, particularly aspirants and supporters dissatisfied with the delegate selection process.
“There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest,” Shettima said. “It is Allah that gives power to whomever He wills at His appointed time.”
The vice president urged aggrieved party members to “sheathe their swords” in the interest of peace, stability and the future of Borno State.
The event attracted several prominent political figures, including former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, alongside senior APC leaders and federal lawmakers.
Others in attendance included APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, APC State Chairman Bello Ayuba, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan.
In his acceptance speech, Gubio pledged to consolidate on the achievements of the Zulum administration, particularly in security, reconstruction, education, agriculture and human capital development.
The APC candidate said his administration, if elected in 2027, would sustain efforts to rebuild communities devastated by insurgency while intensifying programmes targeted at poverty reduction and youth empowerment.
“I am particularly grateful to my mentor and benefactor, His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum,” Gubio said. “I am profoundly appreciative of his unwavering support, mentorship, confidence and encouragement throughout my journey in public service.”
He also thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their leadership and commitment to stabilising the North-East region.
Gubio outlined a development agenda centred on post-insurgency recovery and social welfare, including plans to establish “Resettlement Mega Hubs” for displaced persons and refugees to deepen rehabilitation and reconstruction across affected communities.
He pledged continued investment in education and vocational training to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve youth self-reliance.
“We will continue to invest heavily in education and vocational training to combat illiteracy, especially in rural communities, and equip our youth with skills for productivity,” he said.
The APC candidate also promised improvements in healthcare delivery, rural electrification, water supply and agricultural expansion, while vowing to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and political violence.
“We will ensure discipline, respect for constituted authority and tackle political thuggery and gangsterism,” Gubio stated. “We will maintain a strict policy of zero tolerance for financial misconduct and corruption in the public sector.”
He further pledged to expand renewable energy projects, particularly solar-powered electrification initiatives, and strengthen all-year-round farming programmes aimed at improving food security in the state.
Political observers say Gubio’s emergence, widely viewed as the choice of both Zulum and Shettima, signals continuity in the APC’s governance structure in Borno as the ruling party positions itself ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development also highlights the continued political influence of Vice President Shettima in Borno politics amid ongoing reconstruction efforts following years of Boko Haram insurgency.
