BREAKING: Shettima concedes to Zulum’s governorship choice

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Thursday, presented Mustafa Gubio, the APC Governorship consensus candidate to Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that Mr Zulum had rejected the preferred candidates of Vice President Kashim Shettima — Senator Kaka Shehu and Abubakar Kyari — in the ongoing battle over the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement by Mr Zulum’s spokesman, Dauda Iliya, the governor described the emergence of Mr Gubio as the outcome of extensive consultations across party stakeholders.

According to Mr Zulum, the decision reflects a unified position within the party in the state. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “strategic leadership, support and guidance” to both the government and the APC.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the leadership he is providing in the country and for the enormous support to Borno State as well as the APC, which has been unprecedented,” the governor said.

“I would also like to commend the President, who has been instrumental in the emergence of Gubio as the consensus candidate.

Mr Zulum also acknowledged the Vice President’s support in strengthening party cohesion in the state and for his support of the consensus candidate.

He further appreciated the APC leadership at all levels, party stakeholders, and the state’s residents for their support, prayers, and steadfastness, which he said paved the way for Mr Gubio’s emergence.

The governor had earlier unveiled Engr. Mustapha Gubio as his preferred successor on Monday after purchasing the party’s Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for the 2027 governorship election under the APC platform.

Those in attendance during the presentation of the consensus candidate include former Governor, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan; Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur; APC Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Senators Mohanmed Tahir Monguno; Mohamed Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Speaker Borno State House of Assembly; Hon Abdulkarim Lawan; Minister of Agriculture, Hon Abubakar Kyari and Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis and Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu.