By DANJUMA AMODU
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the All Progressives Congress primaries for the House of Representatives across the state.
Zulum made the remark on Saturday after supervising the 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 welcome the governor and APC officials overseeing the exercise.
Speaking to journalists after the vote, Zulum said the process was conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, which allows aspirants to adopt consensus arrangements.
“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,” he said.
He explained that three aspirants initially indicated interest in the party’s House of Representatives ticket, but two later withdrew in support of the incumbent, Hon. Usman Zannah.
“Two of the aspirants stepped down for the incumbent member, Hon. Usman Zannah, under the consensus arrangement as enshrined in the constitution of our party,” Zulum said.
Party members and stakeholders from the constituency affirmed their support for the consensus candidate during the exercise, according to the governor.
Zulum congratulated Zannah on his emergence and praised the aspirants who stepped down — Hon. Shettima Shehu and Alhaji Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu — describing their action as a demonstration of unity, sacrifice and political maturity.
“I want to extend my congratulations to the candidate and the others who stepped down for him,” he said. “I also want to express my appreciation to all APC supporters and the people of Borno State for ensuring a peaceful voting process.”
The governor stressed that the consensus arrangement was voluntary and not designed to deny any aspirant 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. “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.”
Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee for the constituency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, confirmed that stakeholders had agreed on consensus as the mode of primary. He commended Zulum for creating an enabling environment for a smooth and peaceful exercise.
Through a voice vote, APC members from the three local government areas unanimously affirmed Zannah as the party’s consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the APC national headquarters monitored the exercise.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the APC consensus gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, Secretary to the State Government Bukar Tijani, and Acting Chief of Staff Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe.
