Borno senator drops gov bid, backs Zulum’s anointed candidate

The senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District, Kaka Lawan, has withdrawn from the state governorship race, backing his main rival, Mustapha Gubio, the candidate anointed by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

The decision, according to a statement on Thursday by the senator’s legislative assistant, Usman Alkali, was taken during a meeting of stakeholders in Abuja, where it was jointly agreed that Lawan should step down for Gubio.

According to him, the senator, following the meeting’s resolution, is expected to retain his seat in the Senate.

The statement reads, “At a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday night, which also had in attendance the Borno State Governor, H.E. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Deputy (APC National Chairman), Ali Bukar Dalori; Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; members of the National Assembly; and the Borno Elders Forum, it was resolved that Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan was prevailed upon to step down his gubernatorial ambition to pave the way for the emergence of Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Borno State.”

He explained that the decision was taken to strengthen democracy, ensure unity, and promote political harmony within the APC family in Borno State.

“In the same vein, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan is positioned to retain his seat as the senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District.

“Led by Zulum, the candidates and other political stalwarts in the state would be arriving in the state tomorrow (Friday), and they are expected to be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of supporters in Maiduguri,” Alkali added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Borno State Governor, Dauda Illiya, in a statement on Thursday, said the state’s APC has adopted Gubio as its consensus governorship candidate.

Illiya said Zulum presented Gubio to Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to 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,” Zulum said.

The governor acknowledged the Vice President’s support in strengthening party cohesion in the state and for his support of the consensus candidate.