2027: Borno will never witness another Gubio tragedy

By: Dr. James Bwala

The recent ambush on Hon. Mustapha Gubio’s convoy, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Gubio–Kareto–Damasak road has reignited fears about the ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. This incident not only highlights the security challenges that political figures face in areas plagued by militant violence but also brings back haunting memories of a similar tragedy from 2011.

Back then, another governorship candidate from Borno, the late Fannami Gubio, tragically lost his life on what became known as “Black Friday,” a day marred by political violence and chaos. The recurrence of such attacks reveals a disturbing trend where violent extremist groups disrupt political processes, aiming to undermine governance and democratic engagement.

The mixed reactions from news vendors and local communities reflect the complicated relationship between fear, resilience, and political involvement in conflict-affected regions. This latest attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing instability in Borno State and the pressing need for stronger security measures to protect not just political figures but also the wider civilian population caught in the crossfire of insurgency.

This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP in the area and highlights the crucial need for continuous military vigilance and community collaboration to prevent such attacks from derailing the democratic process. In light of these events, it’s essential for both the government and security agencies to ramp up their efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in Borno State, ensuring that political activities can continue without the shadow of violence or intimidation looming over them.

The attack on Thursday highlights the persistent challenges that political figures in Borno State are grappling with, as insurgent groups like ISWAP take advantage of security weaknesses to disrupt elections and instill fear in both candidates and voters. This troubling trend of repeated assaults along vital routes, such as the Gubio–Kareto–Damasak road, not only jeopardizes the safety of political leaders like Mustapha Gubio but also hampers crucial transportation and economic activities. This situation calls for a robust strategy that tackles the underlying causes of insurgency, encourages socio-economic growth, and promotes inclusive governance to pave the way for lasting peace in Borno State.

To strengthen these efforts, it’s essential for the government to improve intelligence gathering and foster community engagement initiatives that empower local residents to become vigilant partners in security. This approach can help shrink the operational space for insurgents like ISWAP. To genuinely protect the democratic process and safeguard candidates like Mustapha Gubio, security agencies must not only react quickly to attacks but also adopt proactive measures that incorporate local intelligence and community collaboration to prevent future threats.

While the immediate response to the recent attack was commendable, it’s evident that without ongoing and coordinated efforts that blend military vigilance with community resilience and development programs, such incidents will keep undermining the stability of Borno State. Achieving lasting peace in Borno State hinges on ensuring that military actions are paired with continuous community engagement and socio-economic development initiatives that address the root issues exploited by insurgent groups.

James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja

2027: Borno will never witness another Gubio tragedy

APC received 5000 decampees in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State All Progressives Congress (APC) has received 5,000 decampees from various political parties across the Yobe South Senatorial District (Zone B).

The All Progressives Congress receives defectors from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC). The decampments are drawn from the Nangere, Fika, Potiskum, and Nangere local government areas.

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, of Yobe State, ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), assured those who shifted their loyalty to APC would be treated equally with the old members, adding that the APC believes in one Nigeria.

He appreciated the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters for their commitment to the growth of the party, which, according to him, enhanced service delivery to the people of the state.

The governor expressed delight at receiving the decampments from the various political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state and Nigeria in general.

The state party chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka (Madakin Gudi), called on the people of the other political parties to join the APC to move Yobe state forward and assured to carry the new members along in all the party activities.

Hajiya Budu Lawan, the APC women’s leader in the state, promised that women in Yobe state would come out in mass to support and vote for the APC in the upcoming general election.

Hon. Musa Gulani, the state youth leader, expressed his appreciation for the youth in Zone B, adding that youth in Yobe state would vote for APC from top to bottom in the 2027 general election.

The APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni (BMW), ably represented by his running mate, Hon. Sale Samanja, said, “If elected in 2027, we would uphold the legacies of Governor Mai Mala Buni. “

Hon. Yakubu Shehu Damagum (alias Yakubu Doctor), State chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), said, “I left the party last year due to some circumstances, but I didn’t join the APC officially till today.”

He said, “The reason behind my defection is that I watched the development strides in Yobe state under the APC administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni, and there is no need to continue fighting with the ruling party, because a small party in Yobe state has no impact.”

Abba Balube, a former chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the Fune local government area, revealed that he decided to leave the ADC completely because of the bad leadership and because there is no respect in the party.

Ali DPO, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Potiskum local government area, said he joined APC, the ruling party in the state, because of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s transparency, especially the equal sharing of the developmental projects and employment across the state. The event ended up with the presentation of plagues to decampers.

APC received 5000 decampees in Yobe

Borno APC candidate, Gubio attacked by ISWAP as security forces repel deadly ambush

By: Zagazola Makama

The convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Mustapha Gubio, came under attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Gubio–Kareto–Damasak road on Thursday evening.

Gubio and members of his entourage were reportedly returning to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to Damasak, a border town in northern Borno State, when the convoy encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the highway.

A security source said a CRACK operational armoured vehicle leading the convoy ran over the explosive, resulting in a powerful blast that completely destroyed the vehicle.

The source said there were no casualties among the occupants of the convoy.

Following the explosion, the suspected ISWAP fighters reportedly attempted to exploit the incident by launching an ambush on the convoy.

Security personnel comprising troops of the Nigerian military, the police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) quickly took defensive positions and engaged the attackers.

The security forces successfully repelled the terrorists, preventing them from advancing towards the main convoy or inflicting further damage.

The APC candidate and other members of the entourage were subsequently secured following the engagement.

The incident has heightened concerns over the security situation along the Damasak axis, which has remained vulnerable to attacks by insurgents.

The destroyed armoured vehicle was reportedly left severely damaged at the scene of the explosion, while security forces maintained control of the route.

Borno APC candidate, Gubio attacked by ISWAP as security forces repel deadly ambush