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SHETTIMA/ ZULUM AND POET AT CAPITOL GATE

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SHETTIMA/ ZULUM AND POET AT CAPITOL GATE

SHETTIMA/ ZULUM AND POET AT CAPITOL GATE

By: Inuwa Bwala

Dennis Brutus of the Shakespearean fame while being lured into the conspiracy to kill Caesar, was told that, he alone had the power to save Rome. 

They told him to awake, that he was sleeping. They asked him to seek, strike and redress, as Rome looked up to him for solutions.

But what Brutus did not fathon with, was the fact that, he had the capacity to undo Caesar, but not to become the Emperor, or even return Pompey.

This seems to be the scenario paying out, with some sections if the ruling class, wooing Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to abandon his ticket of potentially returning as Governor, to accept to be nominated as Presidential running mate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

When I cast my mind back over oast events and ruminate over the potential dangers in that venture, I could not resist penning down my take.

When clubs and associations in Borno State pulled resources and purchased and presented  the nomination form for Governor Zulum’s second term, he stated unambiguously, that he cannot be a Presidential running mate to any Presidential hopeful.

According to him, though offers had been made by some Presidential aspirants, before the party primaries, he had told those who reached out to him, that, he was not cut out for the position of Vice President for now.

Ostensibly upholding the bond he entered with the people of Borno State, to stay back and complete the job of repositioning the state, Zulum was not ready to abandon the Borno ship, even with the lures of the higher office of the Vice President.

He catalogued the many reasons he cannot leave Borno now, if only to bail the state out if it’s present quagmire, the antidote to which he seems to have.

In reaffirming his resolve to remain as Governor, Zulum promised to rather forfeit the lucres of the higher office, as a mark if sacrifice for his people, who allowed him to go into the primary elections of the APC, unopposed.

Besides owing the people some measure of gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, coupled with the mire cleared prospects of winning the elections, against the seeming gamble of going for the Vice President, Zulum was being optimistically cautious.

The Governor had told all those who cared to listen, that, the people of Borno State need him now, more than ever before, and he cannot afford to abandon them, no matter the lures of where other want him to be.

When I read the news that, contrary to his earlier promises, Governor Zulum was being prevailed upon by fellow Governor’s to renege and push for his emergence as Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate, I knew same to be a joke being taken rather too far.

Agreed that, he has demonstrated rare courage and pragmatism as a leader, the office of the Vice President is a different ball game from that if a Governor, where he is the ultimate boss. 

It is an indisputable fact, that, his predecessor, Kashim Shettima staked everything to ensure his emergence as the candidate and eventually as the Governor, it may sound uncharitable, based on the nudge from other for Zulum to accept to compete with Shettima over the Vice Presidential seat.

I know as a matter of fact, that Kashim Shettima and Babagana Umara Zulum have come a long way, and their bond is such that defies known political soul marriages, where betrayal becomes the defining monster.

Also Read: Kashim Shettima: An epitomic genre from Borno

I also know as a matter if fact that, Zulum is a man of honor and will want to honor his bonds. I believe that he knows, taking up arms against Shettima will not only be uncharitable but politically suicidal.

Both Shettima and Zulum enjoy mutual respect for now, and do not have the luxury of fighting over positions, no matter the individual benefits, at the expense of that mutual friendship.

It is common knowledge that Zulum is fast ris g to glory under the tutelage of Kashim Shettima, to the extent that he maintains Shettima’s political structure.

There is every indication, that, if Zulum falls for the lures being dangled before him by fellow Governor’s, those who have so far supported him to success, may be compelled to take sides, and it may be with Shettima, who put them in positions abinitio.

If Julius Caesar had harkened to the warnings by his wife Portia and the poet, at the street corner, not to go to the Capitol that day, he might have survived the plots of the conspirators and still be the Roman Emperor at a later time.

Those who wrote the script and plan to sell it to our Governor are not being fair to him, to us or to Nigeria. 

When Tinubu returns from France, by which time he might have read the warnings by non essential elements like me, I advice him to go ahead with his original plans and not accept to play to the gallery, at this early stage.

Those who were close to the Presidential aspirant have variously said it, that Tinubu body language suggests a preference for Kashim Shettima, and if the idea of a Muslim/Muslim Ticket still appeals to him, there is no need to change his mind.

Shettima withered the storm with him and delivered him to victory in the primaries, changing a winning team, midway into a game is a precursor for defeat.

So far, even those who do not like Kashim Shettima have given it to him, that he is highly intelligent, resourceful, loyal, committed and understands the dynamics of international, cum national politics.

Tinubu does not have to look too far away from his caucus to get the man with the desired credentials to serve as his running mate. Take it or leave, a Tinubu/Shettima combination is both deliverable and capable of turning around the fortunes of Nigeria.

SHETTIMA/ ZULUM AND POET AT CAPITOL GATE

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Adamawa North Senatorial seat: Gov. Fintiri pledges good representation

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Adamawa North Senatorial seat: Gov. Fintiri pledges good representation

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has formally accepted to contest the senatorial seat to represent Adamawa North under the platform of All Progressives Congress APC following clarion calls by stakeholders from the zone.

Fintiri formally accepted the call in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State after serving two terms in office as the governor of the state.

“I accept the call in the name of Allah and since I didn’t fail you as the governor, I promised you that I will not fail you in the Senate”, Fintiri said.

He promised good representation at the senate and to attract people-oriented projects for the development of the zone.

Fintiri called on aspirants to understand that at the end of the primaries only one aspirant would emerge as candidate in various positions.

He called on them to accept the outcome of the primaries and to remain united for the victory of the party, other candidates and President Bola Tinubu.

Fintiri thanked and appreciated the support given to him and called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used by some politicians to destroy their future.

He also drummed support for President Tinubu and all candidates under the platform of APC for more dividends of democracy.
He pledged to canvas for votes to President Bola Tinubu to ensure his re-election in 2027 election.

According to him, it is now time for Nigerians to reap the benefit of the policies and programmes initiated by the Tinubu administration.

He added that the hardship faced by some people would soon be history as the gains of Tinubu’s reforms would secure better dividends of democracy for Nigerians.

In his remarks, Sen. Amos Yohana, who is currently on the seat expressed readiness to support Gov. Fintiri because of the calls by the stakeholders for Fintiri to replace him.

He also contributed the sum of N20 million for the purchase of the aspiration form for Fintiri.

Earlier in his address, Mr Sale Kingiri, one of the stakeholders disclosed that no fewer than 10, 000 people in the zone made a clarion call for Fintiri to contest for senate in view of his capacity.

He said having Fintiri in the Senate was a pride not only for the zone but the nation due to his sterling performance as the governor.

Gov. Fintiri also paid homage to the emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu.

Adamawa North Senatorial seat: Gov. Fintiri pledges good representation

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Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

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Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

By: Michael Mike

In a move that underscores early political positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections, key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in 2027.

The endorsement, announced during a high-level gathering at the Government House Multipurpose Hall in Maiduguri on Saturday, signals a consolidation of political support in one of the APC’s strongest northern bases. Party leaders, government officials, and influential grassroots mobilizers unanimously pledged to rally voters across the state to ensure the continuity of the Tinubu administration.

Addressing the stakeholders, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum described the endorsement as both a vote of confidence in the current administration and a strategic commitment to sustaining ongoing reforms. He emphasized that the Tinubu-Shettima leadership had demonstrated resolve in tackling Nigeria’s complex security and economic challenges.

According to Zulum, Borno State—long at the epicenter of insurgency—has witnessed renewed federal attention in security coordination, humanitarian interventions, and reconstruction efforts. He noted that continuity in leadership would be critical to consolidating these gains, particularly in the North-East where recovery from years of conflict remains fragile.

“The support for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima is rooted in performance and trust,” Zulum said. “Borno has seen firsthand the impact of leadership that understands our realities and is committed to long-term stability.”

Borno’s Strategic Role in APC Politics

Borno State holds significant political weight within the APC, not only as a consistent electoral stronghold but also as the political base of Vice President Shettima, a former governor of the state. Since the party’s formation in 2013 and its landmark victory in the 2015 elections, Borno has remained central to APC’s dominance in the North-East.

The state’s political influence is further amplified by its frontline status in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Years of conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents have shaped national security policies and elevated Borno’s importance in federal decision-making. As a result, endorsements from the state often carry symbolic and strategic significance for national campaigns.

Political analysts view the early endorsement as part of a broader effort by APC stakeholders to stabilize internal party structures and project unity well ahead of the 2027 elections. It also reflects a growing trend of pre-election alignments aimed at discouraging intra-party rivalries and consolidating incumbency advantages.

Momentum Builds Toward 2027

Saturday’s declaration comes amid ongoing national debates over economic reforms, security challenges, and governance priorities under the Tinubu administration. While opposition parties are expected to intensify criticism in the coming years, the APC appears to be laying the groundwork for a coordinated re-election campaign.

Stakeholders at the Maiduguri meeting pledged to embark on extensive grassroots mobilization, voter engagement, and party strengthening initiatives across all local government areas in Borno. They also called on other APC-controlled states to replicate similar endorsements to build a nationwide consensus.

As Nigeria moves deeper into its current electoral cycle, the Borno endorsement highlights how regional political blocs are already shaping the contours of the 2027 race—long before official campaigns begin.

Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

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Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

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Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

Abdulrahaman Kwancham, Adamawa Northern Senatorial zone aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the party leadership in the zone to be fair towards ensuring victory for the party in 2027 General Elections.

Kwancham made the call during a courtesy visit to the party leadership in Mubi-North Local Government Area.

He said fairness and justice would help the party members to remain united and succeed beyond politics.

“We should please remain peaceful and united in APC for the seek of God as well as to shun anti party for the victory of our party”, he said.

He explained that some people were in the party spreading rumours to cause problem between him and Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri because of the seat despite Fintiri is yet to officially declare his intentions to contest.

According to him, he is not desperate in his pursuit of the senatorial seat, despite the several groups coming to urge him to contest.

“If Gov. Fintiri comes out, I am ready to step down considering his outstanding performance in the state.

“Even if you don’t like Fintiri, you know that he has worked for the state and I am not fighting him “, he said.

In his remarks, the party Chairman appreciated the aspirant for the visit and assured a level playing grounds for all.

He assured their readiness to work in accordance with the party guideline for the success of the party.

Kwancham earlier paid homage on the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Isa Ahmadu who conferred on Kwancham the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani Mubi.

The Emir described the honour as well-deserved, citing Kwancham’s character, leadership qualities, and commitment to humanitarian activities.

Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

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