Maiduguri, Borno State, NIGERIA — Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has officially endorsed his immediate past Commissioner for Works, Mustapha Gubio, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday evening in a statement made available to Okay News by the governor’s spokesperson, Malam Dauda Iliya.
The endorsement was punctuated by a symbolic photograph showing Gubio presenting his ₦50 million (approx. $36,765) expression of interest and nomination forms to Governor Zulum. Notably present during the presentation was the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, a presence interpreted as a significant consolidation of legislative backing for Gubio’s candidacy.
Okay News reports that Gubio is being positioned as the “continuity candidate” capable of sustaining Zulum’s aggressive developmental agenda.
Despite the show of unity, political analysts in Maiduguri warn that the endorsement could expose cracks within the Borno APC. There is widespread speculation that the move may clash with the interests of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who remains a central power broker in the state. Observers suggest that “parallel interests” between the Zulum and Shettima camps could complicate the upcoming primaries, turning Borno into a key battleground for internal party influence.
According to the INEC 2027 timetable, Nigeria’s party primaries must be concluded and all disputes resolved by May 30, 2026. This leaves Mustapha Gubio and his rivals a narrow window to secure delegate support before the official campaign season begins. Zulum’s administration, known for its focus on reconstruction and resettlement, appears to be betting on Gubio’s technical background in public works to maintain the momentum of the “Renewed Hope” initiatives in the North-East.
