Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, says he rejected pressure from supporters, friends and family members to contest for the Senate seat in the 2027 general elections.

The governor stated while chairing Borno State Critical Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Maiduguri, ahead of the House of Representatives primary election on Thursday.

“Despite the overwhelming pressure from supporters and people close to me, I chose the party unity and cohesion over my personal ambition. I told them that I’m not vying for the Senate to maintain cordial relationships and allow peace to reign,” he said

Zulum, who sought a final push for consensus rather than direct primary among the contending aspirants, urged them to borrow a leaf from him.

He also advised the party to give room for primary election where aspirants defied the consensus arrangement.

“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

The evening meeting, which had all the critical stakeholders of the party in attendance, insisted on a final push for consensus to prevent internal fracture.

The deputy national chairman of the APC (north), Hon Ali Bukar Dalori, said consensus fosters inclusion and brings together stakeholders to minimize disputes.

“We don’t want to have problems in Borno, Northeast and the North. With consensus, we will give the party bloc votes, better than what was produced during the 2023 general election,” he said.

“We must thank God and appreciate the sacrifices of our leaders for the sportsmanship. And, I want to you to be ready to reason with them, and everyone to accept the outcome of the consensus,” he said.

Also speaking, the APC chairman in the state, Alhaji Bello Ayuba, said predominantly, the party settled for consensus.

He advised the aspirants to accept the outcome of the consensus in good faith.

“It’s God that gives power to whom he wishes and retrieves it from him at will. Borno politics has always been a unique one, and we should do our best to maintain status quo” he said.

He also thanked some of the serving house of assembly members, including the Deputy speakers, who declared that they would not re-contest their seats for party cohesion.

“I want to thank people like the current deputy speaker, Hon Abdullahi Askira, Member Mohammed Zakaria of Dikwa, member Baba Mala Bukar Sunoma, and Hon Mustapha Alone of Kaga,” he said. (Daily Trust)

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