Gov Zulum lauds peaceful conduct of APC Reps primaries in Borno

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary elections across the state.

Zulum gave the commendation while speaking with journalists shortly after overseeing the APC primary for the Gubio, Kaga, and Magumeri Federal Constituency held in Magumeri town.

Hundreds of party supporters from the three local government areas gathered at the venue to receive the governor and other APC officials for the exercise.

“We are here to witness the primary election in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, which allows for consensus arrangements among aspirants,” Zulum said.

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The governor explained that three aspirants initially indicated interest in contesting the House of Representatives ticket, but two later stepped down in support of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Usman Zannah.

According to him, “We have three contestants vying for the position of the House of Representatives, but under the consensus arrangement as enshrined in the constitution of our party, two of the aspirants stepped down for the incumbent member, Hon. Usman Zannah.”

He noted that the three local government areas involved unanimously affirmed the consensus candidate.

Zulum congratulated Hon. Zannah on his emergence and also praised the aspirants who stepped down—Hon. Shettima Shehu and Alhaji Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu—describing their decision as a demonstration of party unity and political maturity.

“I want to extend my congratulations to the candidate and the others who stepped down for him. I also want to appreciate all APC supporters and the people of Borno State for ensuring a peaceful voting process,” he said.

The governor further stressed that the APC consensus arrangement was voluntary and not intended to deny anyone the right to contest.

“Under the consensus arrangement, the government of Borno State and the party have never taken a decision to stop anybody from contesting,” he explained.

He added that “Consensus is a voluntary option, and anybody who does not wish to go for a consensus election has the right to participate in a direct primary.”

The Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee for Gubio, Kaga, and Magumeri Federal Constituency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, confirmed that stakeholders adopted consensus as the mode of primary.

He commended Governor Zulum for providing an enabling environment for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the exercise.

Through a voice vote, APC members from the three local government areas unanimously affirmed Hon. Usman Zannah as the consensus candidate.

The exercise was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC officials from the national headquarters.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by the APC consensus governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio; Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; and the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe.