Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has said he does not know who will succeed him when his tenure expires in May 2027, stressing that his administration remains focused on security and development for the people of the state.
Zulum made this known on Monday evening during a critical All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.
Addressing party leaders, elected officials and members, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to a fair, transparent and just process in the election of party officials during the forthcoming APC congresses.
He emphasised that the credibility of the process was essential to the party’s unity and future success.
The governor advocated the emergence of fresh individuals to occupy various party positions, urging stakeholders to allow new faces to come through a democratic process that would strengthen the party’s grassroots base and promote inclusivity.
Zulum also dismissed speculations suggesting that he was influencing the party’s future ticket, stating clearly that he had not anointed any candidate for party or elective positions.
“I have no candidate for any position, and I do not know who will succeed me. 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,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen the party, the governor announced the constitution of two committees to scale up APC e-registration and foster reconciliation among party members. A 10-man committee, chaired by former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda, was constituted with members drawn from the state’s three senatorial districts.
The meeting was attended by the Acting Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; former governor, Maina Ma’aji Lawan; APC Deputy National Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori; State APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba; and three former deputy governors Ali Abubakar Jatau, Adamu Shettim Dibal and Usman Mamman Durkwa.
Also present were the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; and 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; Deputy Speaker, Engr Abdullahi Askira; and 25 other lawmakers attended the meeting, alongside former Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio, and other senior government and party officials.
