Borno 2027:“I Don’t Know My Successor”, Zulum Tells APC Stakeholders

By Bukar BOLORI

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has declared that he has no preferred successor and has not anointed any candidate ahead of the end of his tenure in May 2027.

Zulum made the declaration on Sunday evening while addressing stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a meeting held at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor said his administration remains focused on improving security and delivering development to the people of Borno, rather than engaging in succession politics.

Addressing party leaders, elected officials and members, Zulum called for fairness, transparency and justice in the forthcoming APC congresses, stressing that the credibility of the process was critical to the unity and future strength of the party.

He urged stakeholders to allow new individuals to emerge into party leadership through a democratic process, saying fresh leadership would help strengthen the party’s grassroots base and promote inclusivity.

Zulum also dismissed speculation that he was influencing the party’s future leadership or electoral tickets, stating clearly that he had not endorsed any candidate for party or elective positions.

“I have no candidate for any position, and I do not know who will succeed me. I have left the choice of leaders to Almighty Allah and to the democratic will of APC members and the people of Borno State,” the governor said.

As part of efforts to strengthen party unity and participation, Zulum announced the constitution of two committees to oversee the scaling up of APC e-registration and reconciliation among party members.

A 10-member committee to drive the e-registration process will be chaired by former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda, with members drawn from the state’s three senatorial districts.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; former governor, Maina Ma’aji Lawan; APC Deputy National Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori; and the State APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba.

Also present were three former deputy governors—Ali Abubakar Jatau, Adamu Shettima Dibal and Usman Mamman Durkwa—as well as the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, and 10 members of the House of Representatives.

One of the lawmakers, Dr Midala Balami, announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the meeting.

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; his deputy, Engr. Abdullahi Askira; and 25 other members of the Assembly also attended.

Other stakeholders at the meeting included former Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio, and senior government and party officials.