Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has on Thursday urged aspirants seeking various elective positions under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and party stakeholders to adopt consensus as the preferred mode for candidate emergence ahead of the party primaries.
Zulum made the call at a critical stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri.
Speaking on the primaries which was initially slated to commence on Friday but postponed till next week, the governor insisted that consensus remained the most viable option for strengthening the party’s unity.
“Let me start by appreciating all our stakeholders for the support and commitment to advancing the course of our great party, APC, and our administration.
“As we prepare for the party primaries, which will commence on Friday, I want to remind all our aspirants contesting various elective positions that consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state.
“However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries,” he said.
Zulum however emphasised his commitment to democratic principles, assuring stakeholders that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency.
“As a democrat, I will not force any candidate on a particular constituency, but rather encourage us to continue consultations with stakeholders for consensus candidates to emerge,” Zulum stated.
He urged aspirants to reflect on the past, project better opportunities in the future and maintain party loyalty, noting that those who may not secure tickets in the 2027 elections could still have chances ahead.
Zulum also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both the federal and state levels.
To facilitate consultations across the state, the governor constituted zonal consultative committees headed by his Deputy, Dr Usman Kadafur, for the Southern Zone; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, for the Central Zone; and Sen. Mohammed Monguno for the Northern Zone.
Zulum also presented the APC consensus governorship candidate, Mustapha Gubio, to stakeholders, fulfilling the promise he made during the high-level stakeholders’ meeting on April 25.
Dalori, and the state Chairman of the Party, Bello Ayuba, also re-echo the need for consensus as the means of primary election in the state.
They emphasised that consensus would strengthen the party’s cohesion and unity in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.