Borno APC Stakeholders Back Consensus Arrangement

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have backed consensus candidacy arrangements ahead of the party primaries in the state.

At a critical stakeholders’ meeting where the decision was taken yesterday, Governor Babagana Zulum described the move as a step toward strengthening unity within the party.

Party leaders, elders and political appointees from across the state met at the Government House Maiduguri and deliberated on strategies aimed at maintaining internal harmony ahead of the primaries which begins today.

The APC primary elections which were scheduled to commence on Friday, May 15, was shifted to Saturday with the House of Representatives primaries and climax on Saturday, May 23, with the presidential primaries.

During the meeting, Governor Zulum stressed that consensus remains the most viable option for strengthening party unity.

“Let me start by appreciating all our stakeholders for the support and commitment to advancing the course of our great party, the APC, and our administration.

“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,” Zulum said.

The governor further emphasised his commitment to democratic principles, assuring stakeholders 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,” he added.

He urged aspirants to reflect on the past, project better opportunities in the future and maintain party loyalty, noting that those who may not secure tickets in the 2027 elections could still have chances ahead.

Governor Zulum also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both the federal and state levels.

To facilitate consultations across the state, the governor constituted zonal consultative committees headed by the deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, for the Southern Zone; APC deputy national chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, for the Central Zone and Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno for the Northern Zone.

Governor Zulum also formally presented the APC consensus governorship candidate, Mustapha Gubio, to stakeholders, fulfilling the promise he made during the high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in April.

APC deputy national chairman, Hon Ali Bukar Dalori and state chairman of the party, Hon. Bello Ayuba, all re-echoed the need for consensus during the primaries to strengthen party cohesion and unity in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.

The meeting was attended by prominent personalities, including deputy governor Umar Usman Kadafur, the APC consensus gubernatorial candidate, Engr Mustapha Gubio, APC deputy national chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, former governor, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Mohammed Ali Ndume, and Kaka Shehu Lawan, serving and former members of the House of Representatives and the APC state chairman.

Others are former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda, speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, other members of the House secretary to the state government, the acting chief of staff, the commissioners’ designate, special advisers, local government chairmen, APC party executives and other stakeholders.