By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has praised the peaceful and orderly conduct of the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primary elections held across the state.
The governor gave the commendation on Saturday while speaking with journalists shortly after monitoring the APC primary election for Gubio, Kaga, and Magumeri Federal Constituency in Magumeri town.
The exercise attracted a large turnout of party supporters and stakeholders from the three local government areas, who gathered at the venue to witness the conduct of the primaries alongside party officials and government representatives.
Speaking on the process, Governor Zulum said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, which recognises consensus arrangements as one of the acceptable methods for the emergence of candidates.
According to him, three aspirants initially expressed interest in contesting for the House of Representatives ticket before two of them voluntarily stepped down in support of the incumbent lawmaker, Usman Zannah.
The governor noted that the people of the constituency unanimously endorsed the consensus arrangement and affirmed their support for Hon. Zannah as the party’s candidate.
Governor Zulum congratulated the lawmaker on his emergence and also commended the other aspirants, Hon. Shettima Shehu and Alhaji Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu, for demonstrating political maturity and commitment to party unity by stepping down in support of the consensus candidate.
He further appreciated party supporters and residents of the state for ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free exercise throughout the primaries.
The governor emphasised that the APC consensus arrangement in Borno State remains voluntary and does not deny any aspirant the constitutional right to contest.
According to him, any aspirant unwilling to participate in a consensus process still retains the right to seek nomination through direct primaries in line with party guidelines.
Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee for Gubio, Kaga, and Magumeri Federal Constituency, Yuguda Saleh Vungas, confirmed that party stakeholders and members had agreed to adopt consensus as the mode of primary for the constituency.
He commended Governor Zulum for creating an enabling atmosphere for the successful and peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Through a voice vote, APC members from the three local government areas unanimously affirmed Hon. Usman Zannah as the party’s consensus candidate for the constituency.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and representatives of the APC national headquarters monitored the exercise.
Governor Zulum was accompanied to the event by the APC consensus governorship candidate, Mustapha Gubio; Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; and Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe.
