BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, MAY 14, 2026/ 10:53PM
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants and stakeholders to adopt consensus as the preferred mode for selecting candidates ahead of the party’s primaries.
He made the call on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.
He said consensus remained the most viable option for strengthening party unity in the state.
'As we prepare for the party primaries, which will commence on Friday, I want to remind all our aspirants contesting various elective positions that consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state. However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries,' he said.
The governor stressed his commitment to democratic principles, assuring that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency.
'As a democrat, I will not force any candidate on a particular constituency, but rather encourage us to continue consultations with stakeholders for consensus candidates to emerge,' Gov.Zulum said.
He urged aspirants to reflect on the past, project better opportunities in the future, and maintain loyalty to the party, noting that those who miss out in 2027 could still have chances ahead.
He also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both federal and state levels.
To facilitate consultations, the governor constituted zonal consultative committees. The Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, will head the Southern Zone; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, the Central Zone; and Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Northern Zone.
At the meeting, Zulum formally presented Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC consensus governorship candidate to stakeholders, fulfilling a promise made during the 25 April high-level stakeholders’ meeting.
APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori and State Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba both backed the push for consensus, saying it would strengthen party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC primaries are scheduled to begin on Friday, 15 May, with the House of Representatives primaries, and conclude on Saturday, 23 May, with the presidential primaries.