By Bodunrin Kayode
Thousands of residents across Southern Borno trooped out last week to receive the APC governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, and his running mate, Hon. Ali Abdullahi Isa, as the party took its appreciation tour to the zone.
The tour, described by the Southern Borno Concerned Citizens Forum (SBCC) as a “historic homecoming,” covered the five Emirates and four Local Government Areas in the South Senatorial District.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by SBCC National Chairman, Hon. Bulama Sawa, the Forum said the receptions were a demonstration of the people’s confidence in the APC and in Abdullahi Isa’s record of service.
“Everywhere the delegation went, the message remained consistent: appreciation to the APC for selecting a humble, compassionate and humanitarian son of the soil whose years of dedicated public service have earned him the respect and admiration of the people,” Sawa said.
The high point of the tour was in Biu Emirate, the maternal home of Hon. Ali Abdullahi Isa. The Emir of Biu received the delegation and publicly affirmed the candidate’s roots.
“His Royal Highness affirmed before the delegation that Hon. Ali Abdullahi Isa is indeed a true son of the soil,” the statement read.
The Emir also spoke on the candidate’s family, describing his father, Mallam Abdullahi Alkali Isa Miringa, as “a highly respected elder statesman whose integrity, wisdom and selfless contributions to public service have earned him lasting honour throughout Biu Emirate and Borno State.”
The SBCC said the turnout across communities reflected unity in Southern Borno and gratitude to the APC for zoning the Deputy Governorship slot to the area.
“The Appreciation Tour demonstrated the unity and solidarity of Southern Borno. Community after community expressed gratitude to the APC leadership for giving the zone the opportunity to produce the Deputy Governorship Candidate and pledged their unwavering support for the success of the APC in the forthcoming elections,” Sawa stated.
The Forum recalled that Abdullahi Isa began public service in 1991 as an Audit Assistant. He later served as Chief Administrative Officer (Audit), Assistant Director of Administration at Government House, Director of Research and Statistics at SEMA, and Acting Director General of the agency.
“Throughout the most challenging periods of insurgency and humanitarian crises, he played critical roles in coordinating relief interventions, supporting internally displaced persons, and assisting vulnerable communities across the state,” the statement noted.
The SBCC said Abdullahi Isa comes from the Miringa family of Biu, “renowned for producing distinguished public servants, administrators, scholars and community leaders.”
It commended the APC for what it called “a decision that has resonated positively with the people of Southern Borno,” and thanked traditional rulers, council chairmen, religious leaders, women, youths and party stakeholders for the hospitality accorded the delegation.
“As the political journey towards 2027 continues, the Forum remains confident that the partnership of Engr. Mustapha Gubio and Hon. Ali Abdullahi Isa represents a combination of visionary leadership, administrative experience, humanitarian service and grassroots connection capable of advancing the peace, unity and sustainable development of Borno State,” Sawa said.
