By Bukar BOLORI

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Thursday praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima following the emergence of Engineer Mustapha Gubio as the 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 outcome of political scheming, while also commending the leadership of Tinubu and Shettima for ensuring a peaceful and consensus-driven process.

“What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah,” Zulum declared before party delegates and supporters.

“Allah, in His infinite wisdom, gives power to whom He wills.”

The governor said the smooth conduct of the APC primary process reflected the growing internal cohesion within the ruling party in Borno, a state considered one of the APC’s strongest political bases 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.

Zulum further praised both leaders for creating what he described as an “enabling environment” for rancour-free primaries, adding that their commitment to internal democracy had strengthened party unity across the state.

Gubio emerged as the APC consensus candidate after consultations among party stakeholders, political leaders and influential blocs within 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, Chief Emma Eneukwu.

Vice President Shettima, who attended the event in person, used the occasion to call for reconciliation and unity among party members, especially aspirants and supporters dissatisfied with the outcome of 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 appealed to aggrieved party members to “sheathe their swords” in the interest of peace, stability and the future of Borno State.

The event attracted prominent political figures, including former Borno State governors 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 the areas of security, reconstruction, education, agriculture and human capital development.

The APC candidate said his administration, if elected in 2027, would sustain ongoing efforts to rebuild communities devastated by insurgency while intensifying programmes aimed 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 expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their leadership and commitment to stabilising the North-East region.

Gubio outlined an ambitious development agenda focused on post-insurgency recovery and social welfare, promising to establish “Resettlement Mega Hubs” for displaced persons and refugees as part of efforts 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 stance 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 consolidate all-year-round farming programmes aimed at boosting food security in the state.

Political observers say the emergence of Gubio, widely seen as a close ally of both Zulum and Shettima, signals continuity in the APC’s governance structure in Borno as the ruling party positions itself early for the 2027 elections.

The development also underscores the enduring political influence of Vice President Shettima in Borno politics, where he and Governor Zulum continue to shape the direction of the APC in the state amid ongoing reconstruction efforts following years of Boko Haram insurgency.