By HAMZA SULEIMAN

The Deputy Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, has withdrawn from the Senatorial contest and declined his support for the incumbent, Sen. Ali Ndume.

Askira made this known at a news conference, alongside his teaming supporters and prominent personalities in the state, on Thursday in Maiduguri.

The deputy speaker initially kick-started his campaign to contest for the Senatorial seat from the Southern Borno Zone before the sudden U-turn.

He, however, urged his supporters to join Ndume’s campaign team to ensure his victory in the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Askira has been a member of the state assembly since 2007, and has emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the House from 2023 to date.

“After wide consultations and deep reflection, and particularly following my recent meeting with the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, I have decided to formally withdraw from the race in the best interest of our great party, the Southern Borno Zone, and Borno State at large.

“In that spirit, I wholeheartedly endorse and pledge my total support for Senator Muhammadu Ali Ndume to continue representing Southern Borno in the Senate,” he said. (NAN)

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