Against speculations in some quaters that Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum a prefered candidate for the governorship in the 2027 election, the man has dispelled such notion.
The governor
told stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC during a meeting in Maiduguri that he does not know who will succeed him after the expiration of his tenure in May 2027.

He said, his administration is focused on strengthening security and providing needed development to the people.

Reiterating his stand for a fair, transparent and just process in the election of his successor and other party officials during the forthcoming congresses, maintained that only God knows who will take over from him. 

He emphasised that the integrity of the process was paramount for the party’s unity and future success, and everybody must work towards it.

The governor strongly advocated a fresh set of individuals to occupy the various party positions. 

He urged stakeholders to allow new faces to emerge through a democratic process, thereby strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and inclusivity.

Zulum while dismissing speculations about his influence on the party’s future ticket, reaffirmed that he had not anointed any candidate for the upcoming party positions either.
“I have no candidate for any position, and I do not know who will succeed me. I have entrusted the choice of leaders to Almighty Allah, in accordance with the democratic will of the party members and the people of Borno State”, he said.
As part of moves to ensure inclusdivity, the governor set up two committees to scale up the APC e-registration and reconciliation among party members. 

The 10-man committee will be headed by Nigeria’s former Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda and will include members drawn from the state’s 3 senatorial districts.

By: Our Correspondent.
The governing All Progressives Congress, APC, has formally reacted to media speculations of a ppssible change in on the Presidential ticket of the party for the 2027 elections.
National Publicoty Secreyary of the APC. Felix Morka, dismissed the widespread insinuations via a Press Release, on Monday.
According to him, the media frenzy and attendant heating up of the polity, were unnecessary.

“Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great Party ahead of the 2027 General Elections”, Morka said.

“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacement for Vice President Shettima.

Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless”

While calling for caution, the party, urged media organizations to not to allow the use of their platforms to propagate rumours, and mischief. “news sources”
While arguing that, there are established procedures of nominating candidates, under the laws and electoral regulations, the timing for starting political activities are still under ban.
” At this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people”, he noted.

He also called on ministers, senior government and Party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and the Party, and bolster the success and achievements of President.

A serving police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly supplying an AK-47 rifle used in an armed robbery attack in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Zagazola reliably informed by sources that the development followed the arrest of a robbery suspect, Justine Gbata, 30, of Doka Village, who was apprehended after gunmen attacked one Muhammad Danka of Ankoma Village and dispossessed him of his red Bajaj motorcycle.

The incident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 24, when the assailants, armed with an AK-47 rifle, fired several shots during the operation before fleeing into a nearby forest with the motorcycle.

“After the report, a combined team of police operatives, vigilantes and hunters pursued the attackers into the forest and arrested one suspect. Seven empty AK-47 shells were recovered at the scene,” the sources said.

They added that the suspect, who sustained injuries during the chase, was taken to General Hospital, Doma, for treatment.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that the rifle used for the robbery was supplied by a serving police sergeant attached to Daudu Division in Benue State,” the sources said.

The sergeant has since been identified and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benue for further investigation.

Police authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the gang and recover the stolen motorcycle, while investigations into the case continue.