Zulum urges APC aspirants to adopt consensus ahead of primaries

Politics

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has called on aspirants and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace consensus as the preferred mode of candidate emergence ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled to begin on Friday, 15 May 2026.

Speaking during a critical stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri on Thursday, Zulum stressed that consensus remains the most viable option for strengthening party unity. “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 APC primaries will commence with the House of Representatives primaries on May 15 and climax with the presidential primaries on May 23. Zulum assured stakeholders that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency, reiterating his commitment to democratic principles. He encouraged aspirants to maintain party loyalty and reflect on future opportunities, noting that those who may not secure tickets in 2027 could still benefit from appointments and other opportunities at federal and state levels.

To facilitate consultations, the governor announced the formation of zonal consultative committees: 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 Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC consensus governorship candidate, fulfilling a promise made during an earlier stakeholders’ meeting on April 25. Party leaders, including Dalori and State Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, echoed the governor’s call, emphasizing that consensus would strengthen cohesion and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures such as former Governor Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, alongside serving and former members of the House of Representatives, APC executives, commissioners-designate, advisers, and local government chairmen.

Governor Zulum concluded by appreciating stakeholders for their support, urging continued consultations to ensure consensus candidates emerge across constituencies. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing the APC’s unity and strengthening democratic processes in Borno State.