…As Zulum lauds Tinubu, Shettima’s leadership
The All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Borno State, Engr Mustapha Gubio, has assured the people of the state that he is going to consolidate on the gains of Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration if voted into office come the 2027 general elections.
Speaking shortly after his affirmation as APC gubernatorial candidate in Maiduguri on Thursday, Engr Mustapha Gubio pledged to build upon the transformative achievements of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, promising to prioritise education, human empowerment, agriculture, the reconstruction of communities devastated by insurgency and other critical sectors.
In his acceptance speech, Gubio expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Zulum for their unwavering leadership and commitment to restoring peace and development in the Northeast.
“I wish to deeply express my gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his exemplary leadership, unwavering support, and commitment to the advancement and development of Borno State.
“I would like to also express my gratitude to our leader, His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, for his invaluable assistance in fostering party unity in our state and for the ongoing support and encouragement he has offered since I emerged as the consensus candidate.
“I am particularly grateful to my mentor and benefactor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, FNSE, MNI, the Executive Governor of Borno State. I am profoundly appreciative of his unwavering support, mentorship, confidence, and encouragement throughout my journey in public service,” he noted.
While speaking on the achievements of Governor Zulum, Engr Gubio said, “By the will of Allah, if given the mandate, we will pursue these responsibilities with renewed vigour and determination.
“We shall intensify efforts to continue addressing insurgency and other forms of insecurity, build on the current administration’s resettlement efforts for displaced persons and refugees through the establishment of Resettlement Mega Hubs, and accelerate the reconstruction of destroyed communities.
He also said, “We will continue to invest heavily in education and vocational training to reduce further the number of out-of-school children, combat illiteracy—particularly in rural communities—and equip our youth with skills for self-reliance and productivity.
Additionally, we will continue to support healthcare sector initiatives that guarantee quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services for all citizens.”
“Furthermore, we are dedicated to sustaining and improving the standard of living of our people through expanded empowerment initiatives and poverty alleviation programs aimed at addressing youth and women’s unemployment, social unrest, destitution, and the welfare needs of the less privileged in our society,” he added.
“Consequently, we would ensure discipline, respect for constituted authority, and tackle issues of political thuggery and gangsterism. We will maintain a strict policy of zero tolerance for financial misconduct and corruption in the public sector,” he added.
He also said, “We will consolidate on the massive infrastructural development initiated by the present administration. Our priorities will include sustaining the electrification of towns and villages through renewable energy solutions such as solar systems, providing potable water for both human and animal consumption, consolidating existing all-year-round agricultural practices to ensure food sufficiency, and promoting sports and recreational activities as tools for youth engagement and social development.”
Earlier, in his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who personally attended the affirmation ceremony, called for unity among all party faithful, particularly those who lost out in the delegates’ selection.
The VP said, “I want to commend the good people of Borno for the orderly conduct of all our elections. There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest. As rightly captured by the governor of Borno State, it is Allah that gives power to whomever he wills at his own appointed time.
“I wish to implore all those who might have lost out in the contest to represent our different constituencies to please let us sheath our swords for the good of our people.”
Also, Speaking, Governor Babagana Zulum emphasised that Gubio’s emergence was not a product of political manoeuvring but the will of Allah
Zulum hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima following the emergence of Mustapha Gubio as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Zulum said, “What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah. Allah, in his infinite wisdom, gives power to whom he wills. There is nothing I can say other than to extend my appreciation to the Almighty Allah who has allowed us to witness this very important occasion. ”
“I want to convey my deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed my boss, Senator Kashim Shettima, for all the support they have rendered to us that has ensured the consensus that led to the emergence of Alhaji Mustapha Gubio,” he said.
The governor further expressed profound gratitude to Tinubu and Shettima for providing “an enabling environment” for the rancour-free primary election across the state.
He noted that their commitment to internal party democracy has strengthened the APC’s cohesion in Borno State.
Before Thursday’s affirmation, Engr Mustapha Gubio had emerged as the APC’s consensus candidate following a series of consultations among critical stakeholders.
The affirmation ceremony was presided over by Borno’s primary election committee’s chairman, Chief Emma Eneukwu, at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri.
