BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, APRIL 29, 2026/ 11:55AM
The Borno State Government has clarified that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum anointed, and did not endorse, Engr. Mustapha Gubio as his successor, contrary to media reports.
The clarification came Wednesday in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson, Mallam Dauda Iliya.
According to the statement, Gov. Zulum on Tuesday in Abuja anointed his immediate past Commissioner of Works and Housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, FNSE, shortly after receiving a delegation that presented Gubio’s purchased Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for the governorship race under the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Mal. Iliya dismissed reports in some sections of the media claiming the Governor had “endorsed” Gubio, describing the reception as a 'routine tradition of responsible leaders to bless and offer prayers for success in democratic dispensation.'
The statement noted that as leader of the APC in Borno State, Gov. Zulum also received other aspirants who presented their forms.
These included Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, contesting for the Borno North Senatorial seat, and Hon. Bukar Talba, member representing Monguno/Nganzai/Marte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
'Governor Zulum is a committed democrat and believes in inclusivity,' Mal. Iliya said.
He added that Gubio was the first aspirant to obtain the APC Governorship Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.
The spokesman further disclosed that during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, 25th April, at the Government House, Governor Zulum announced that another meeting would be convened to present the party’s candidates.