Borno, Nigeria — Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has thrown his weight behind his former Commissioner for Works, Mustapha Gubio, as the preferred candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in the 2027 Borno State governorship election.
The governor’s spokesperson, Malam Dauda Iliya, confirmed the endorsement on Tuesday, stating that Gubio is best placed to continue and expand the current administration’s development programmes across the state.
Iliya described Gubio as a man who embodies continuity, stressing his deep knowledge of the government’s policy direction and proven capacity to build on existing achievements.
“Gubio represents continuity. He understands the vision of this administration and has the capacity to build on its achievements,” Iliya said.
The move comes after a symbolic presentation of expression of interest and nomination forms by Gubio to Governor Zulum, in the presence of Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno and other key supporters.
The endorsement is already generating reactions within APC ranks in Borno, with many party members anticipating a keenly contested primary as other aspirants step up their consultations.
Analysts believe the development could sharpen political alignments within the party ahead of the 2027 polls, especially as Borno continues to rebuild from years of insurgency while pursuing aggressive infrastructure and human development goals.
As one of the states most affected by the Boko Haram crisis, Borno’s leadership transition remains critical to sustaining ongoing reconstruction efforts and improving the lives of residents.
NaijaChoice News gathered that the governor’s decision reflects his desire to ensure seamless continuity in governance and service delivery to the people.
Political watchers in the North-East are closely monitoring the unfolding events, as the endorsement may influence the dynamics of APC’s internal process in the state.
The 2027 governorship race in Borno is gradually taking shape, with Zulum’s backing of Mustapha Gubio setting a clear tone for what promises to be an interesting season of political activities.
This endorsement underscores the premium the governor places on experienced hands to drive Borno’s next phase of development.
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