News
2023: How The Elections Will Be Decided in Borno
***APC Maintains Lead Amidst Discordance, As Others Trail
By: Politics Editor
As usual, Borno promises to be a melting pot in the 2023 elections, as parties scheme to make the difference.
Since 1999, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which metamorphosed from the All Peoples Party, APP, ; later All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, into the coalition that it is today, has held sway, as the ruling party.
From the late Mala Kachallah, 1999 -2003, Ali Modu Sheriff, 2003 – 2011, Kashim Shettima, 2011-2019, elections had been a virtual walkover for the APC.
Even the election of the incumbent, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for the first tenure was overwhelming, and pundits predict a repeat of that feat for the party in next year’s elections.
While Mala Kachallah and Modu Sheriff, could be classified as politicians before becoming Governors, Kashim Shettima and his political godson, Babagana Umara Zulum cannot be said to be in that class.
National Trail ratings however show that, the seeming non politicians have turned out to be even more sagacious and dexterous, to the effect that, their political activities have brought them to national limelight within shorter period than their predecessors.
While Kachallah failed in his return bid as Governor for the second term, Ali Modu Sheriff was to eventually be defeated by a lame duck politician, in his quest to return to the Senate for the third time.
Kashim Shettima on the other hand got elected as Senator, after his eight years sojourn as Governor, and it looks likely that he could become the vice President of Nigeria thereafter.
It also looks very likely that, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum will get re-elected as Governor, if the permutations on ground are anything to go by.
National Trail findings reveal that, the structure that brought both Kashim Shettima and Babagana Zulum is still intact, and has been further fortified by the performances of the Governor in the last three and a half years.
Our correspondent who has been in Borno for the last three months reports that, there were some discordance amongst some politicians in the state, with some of them amplifying opposition voices, yet there seems to be a general agreement that Zulum is still, the best and the candidate to beat.
Reports also indicate that, contrary to make believe scenario being painted by opposition groups, to the effect that the Governor seems to be losing grip, there are very serious indications that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum will still have his way.
Looking at the campaign structure of the APC in the state which was inaugurated last week Sunday, and the attendant political activities in recent days, there is very indication that, the APC is strategizing to consolidate its hold on power.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum confirmed this much in his speech during the inauguration of the campaign council, where he was quoted as assuring the people that, he is not leaving anything to chance in his bid to succeed at the polls.
The Governor who was flanked by most prominent politicians, irrespective of political leanings across the state told the audience that, he is prepared to carry everybody along in the renewed bid to rescue Borno from insurgency, poverty and educational backwardness.
Ahead of the official flag off of the campaigns for his re-election bid, Babagana Umara Zulum has so far enjoyed tremendous support in all his outings, even when such outings were not for political campaigns.
While potential voters, including APC faithfull seem to agree on Governor Zulum’s return bid, this does not seem to be the situation with other candidates.
Co- Chairman 9f the Media and Publicity Campaign 9f the APC in the state, Inuwa Bwala told our correspondent that, as much as the party is not looking down on other political parties, the victory of the APC 8n 2023 is foreseeable, given the superlative performances of the Governor.
While agreeing that something need to be done about other, to pull back recalstriant party members, Bwala is of the view that something is being done and it shall be well.
Our correspondent reports that, unless efforts are stepped up to bolster the chances of some of the candidates for other positions, the APC may face some challenges, with their candidature.
A party official who prefers not to be named told our correspondent at the party secretariat that except Muktari Betara, all other candidates in southern Borno have challenges, which need to be addressed.
He said the party is aware of the problems in Hawul, Biu and Shani, and already people are working in those areas.
He disclosed that, very soon, the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, who is the leader of Borno South will lead a team that will resolves the problems
National Trail reports that, it is on record that, all other elective positions 8n Borno state are currently occupied by the APC, but recent events indicate that there are challenges in some parts of the Central and Southern parts of the state, where the candidates are either not popular enough or stronger candidates seem to have been put forward by other political parties.
Notwithstanding, the party Chairman in the state, Ali Bukar Dalori has given assurance that everything is being done to address intra party discordance, that gave rise to the seeming problems.
The Chairman said all hands are on deck and agrievd party members have promised to put aside their personal issues for the success of the party during next years elections.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party has been boasting that they will upstage the APC: a claim Mr Inuwa Bwala dismissed as a pipe dream.
Bwala said, “elections go beyond social media showing, and even in that respect, the APC far outclasses the PDP. No politician admits his 8r her weaknesses, but the PDP in Borno is a non starter”.
…Commend NCDC, 20-Year North Central Development Plan
Youth groups have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for regional development following the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) and other regional development commissions.
The groups made the commendation in separate statements on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the NCDC in Abuja.
The President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Jethro Annum, and the NYCN State Chairman of Niger State, Ambassador Abdullahi Muhammed Ishaq, who spoke on behalf of the NYCN North Central Chairmen, described the NCDC as a catalyst for development.
They said the Commission’s 20-year development plan reflects the need for long-term planning and aligns with the broader development vision of President Tinubu for the country.
Similarly, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Danesi Momoh, and the North Central Youth Mobilization and Sensitization (NOCYMS), led by Hon. Iorwuese Ayo Fidelis, commended the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement aimed at developing a clear and sustainable development direction for the region over the next 20 years.
The engagement, which brought together key stakeholders and voices from across the North Central region, was described as a significant step towards developing a plan that reflects the aspirations, realities and potential of the people.
The youth leaders described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, stressing that young people and students must remain an integral part of conversations about the future of the region.
They noted that the North Central is home to millions of young Nigerians whose energy, skills, ideas and innovation can contribute significantly to the region’s economic and social transformation when provided with the right opportunities.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire. Any 20-year development plan for the North Central must therefore give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation,” they said.
The youth representatives further assured the NCDC of their readiness to work closely with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders to advance initiatives that will create meaningful opportunities for students and young people across the region.
They expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among the Commission, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders could help translate the region’s enormous potential into measurable and sustainable development.
…Commends Commission, Urges Quarterly Engagements
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has called for sustained inclusion of students and young people in the North Central Development Commission’s (NCDC) 20-year development agenda.
The association made the call while commending the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement to shape a long-term development direction for the region.
The Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said students and young people must not be treated merely as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping the future of the North Central.
According to him, the region’s large youth population represents a significant pool of energy, skills, ideas and innovation that can contribute to economic and social transformation if properly harnessed.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire,” he said.
Babatunde said any 20-year development plan for the region should give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation.
He described the NCDC stakeholders’ engagement as timely and forward-looking, saying it provided an important platform for different interests across the region to contribute to the development conversation.
Also in attendance was Comrade Anzaku Shedrack CNS, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management, NANS, who represented the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde GCNS.
Shedrack commended the Commission for the initiative and urged it to sustain similar engagements quarterly.
He also assured the NCDC that NANS was pleased with the 20-year development roadmap and would continue to support the Commission in advancing initiatives aimed at developing the region.
NANS Zone C further pledged to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to promote initiatives capable of creating opportunities for students and young Nigerians across the North Central.
The association called for continuous engagement with the student constituency, stressing that their experiences, concerns and ideas should form part of the region’s long-term development agenda.
It expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among the NCDC, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders would help unlock the region’s potential and promote inclusive growth.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what it termed public attacks on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional means.The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere on Friday, September 18, 2026, amid what it described as increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political developments within the All Progressives Congress.The lawyers said the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected what they described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement, arguing that the disagreement should be addressed with the forum rather than through personal attacks on Uzodinma.According to the group, the forum’s position was based on concerns that the political arrangement could weaken the APC or create divided loyalty within the party.“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities,” the group said.“However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.”The lawyers said Uzodinma, as the governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his responsibilities without political exchanges creating tension capable of affecting the peace and stability of the state.They urged Wike to desist from further public comments concerning the governor, insisting that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.The group also warned political actors against turning Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.“Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy. Its people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure,” it said.The lawyers further called on political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid inflammatory language that could provoke confrontation.They urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and the laws of the country, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to encourage restraint among political actors, particularly in relation to the dispute between Wike and Uzodinma.Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo, so stay off Imo.”They stressed that disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be settled through democratic debate and constitutional processes.The group said it would continue to monitor developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in Imo State.“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the statement added.
IGP Disu meets Niger governor over deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners
Tinubu Orders Probe Into Deaths of Suspected Illegal Miners in NSCDC Custody
-
Uncategorized6 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines11 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News10 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News11 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader