Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima following the emergence of Mustapha Gubio as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking shortly after the affirmation ceremony in Maiduguri on Thursday, Governor Zulum emphasised that Gubio’s emergence was not a product of political manoeuvring but the will of Allah.
He stated: “What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah. Allah, in his infinite wisdom, gives power to whom he wills. There is nothing I can say other than to extend my appreciation to the Almighty Allah who has given us the opportunity to witness this very important occasion.
“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 has ensured the consensus that led to the emergence of Alhaji Mustapha Gubio.”
The governor further expressed profound gratitude to Tinubu and Shettima for providing, “an enabling environment” for the rancour-free primary election across the state.
He noted that their commitment to internal party democracy has strengthened the APC’s cohesion in Borno State.
Before Thursday’s affirmation, Engr Mustapha Gubio had emerged as the APC’s consensus candidate following series of consultations among critical stakeholders.
The affirmation ceremony was presided over by Borno’s primary election committee’s chairman, Chief Emma Eneukwu, at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri.
In his remarks, Vice President Shettima, who personally attended the affirmation ceremony, called for unity among all party faithful, particularly those that lost out in the delegates’ selection.
The VP said: “I want to commend the good people of Borno for the orderly conduct of all our elections. There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest. As rightly captured by the governor of Borno State, it is Allah that gives power to whomever he wills at his own appointed time.
“I wish to implore all those who might have lost out in the contest to represent our different constituencies to please let us sheath our swords for the good of our people.”
In attendance were dignitaries like former Governors Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan.
Other stakeholders, including APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, among others, blessed the affirmation amidst a crowd of supporters in Maiduguri.
I will consolidate on Zulum’s gains, Says Gubio
Meanwhile, the Borno State, APC gubernatorial Engr. Mustapha Gubio has pledged to build upon the transformative achievements of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, promising to prioritise education, human empowerment, agriculture, the reconstruction of communities devastated by insurgency and other critical sectors.
Gubio stated this in his acceptance speech following his affirmation as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Borno.
He expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Zulum for their unwavering leadership and commitment to restoring peace and development in the Northeast.
“I wish to deeply express my gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his exemplary leadership, unwavering support, and commitment to the advancement and development of Borno State.
“I would like to also express my gratitude to our leader, His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, for his invaluable assistance in fostering party unity in our state and for the ongoing support and encouragement he has offered since I emerged as the consensus candidate.
“I am particularly grateful to my mentor and benefactor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, FNSE, MNI, the Executive Governor of Borno State. I am profoundly appreciative of his unwavering support, mentorship, confidence, and encouragement throughout my journey in public service,” he said.
Gubio outlined the critical sectors designed to sustain and expand the Zulun administration’s successes.
He said: “By the will of Allah, if given the mandate, we will pursue these responsibilities with renewed vigour and determination. We shall intensify efforts to continue addressing insurgency and other forms of insecurity, build on the current administration’s resettlement efforts for displaced persons and refugees through the establishment of Resettlement Mega Hubs, and accelerate the reconstruction of destroyed communities.
“We will continue to invest heavily in education and vocational training to reduce further the number of out-of-school children, combat illiteracy—particularly in rural communities—and equip our youth with skills for self-reliance and productivity. Additionally, we will continue to support healthcare sector initiatives that guarantee quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services for all citizens.
“Furthermore, we are dedicated to sustaining and improving the standard of living of our people through expanded empowerment initiatives and poverty alleviation programs aimed at addressing youth and women’s unemployment, social unrest, destitution, and the welfare needs of the less privileged in our society.
“Consequently, we would ensure discipline, respect to constituted authority, and tackle issues of political thuggery and gangsterism. We will maintain a strict policy of zero tolerance for financial misconduct and corruption in the public sector.
“We will also consolidate on the massive infrastructural development initiated by the present administration. Our priorities will include sustaining the electrification of towns and villages through renewable energy solutions such as solar systems, providing potable water for both human and animal consumption, consolidating existing all-year-round agricultural practices to ensure food sufficiency, and promoting sports and recreational activities as tools for youth engagement and social development.”
