Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
IN a significant move to shape internal party democracy, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has publicly declared that he does not know who will succeed him in 2027.
The governor made the revelation yesterday evening during a critical All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Addressing a hall packed with party leaders, elected officials, and members, Governor Zulum firmly dismissed speculation about his influence over the party’s future electoral tickets.
He emphasised that the integrity of the party’s processes was paramount for its unity and continued success.
“I have no candidate for any position, and I do not know who will succeed me,” Zulum stated unequivocally. “I have entrusted the choice of leaders to Almighty Allah, in accordance with the democratic will of the party members and the people of Borno State.”
The governor used the meeting to reiterate his stand for a fair, transparent, and just process in the election of party officials during the forthcoming congresses.
He strongly advocated for a fresh set of individuals to occupy various party positions, urging stakeholders to allow new faces to emerge through a proper democratic process.
This, he argued, would strengthen the party’s grassroots structure and promote inclusivity.
To further these aims, Governor Zulum established two key committees. A 10-man committee, to be chaired by Nigeria’s former Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda, will oversee the scaling up of the APC’s e-registration and reconciliation efforts among members.
The committee includes representatives from the state’s three senatorial districts.
The high-profile meeting saw attendance from the apex of Borno’s political leadership. Present were the state’s acting governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; former governor Maina Ma’aji Lawan; APC Deputy National Chairman Ali Bukar Dalori; and State APC Chairman Bello Ayuba.
Three former deputy governors and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, were also in attendance.
The gathering was further graced by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, 10 members of the House of Representatives—including Dr. Midala Balami, who announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, his deputy, and 25 other assembly members, alongside other senior government and party officials.
