By: Gbenga Akingbule .
The Emir of Biu, His Highness ,Alhaji Mustapha Umar Mustapha II
and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Borno State, on Saturday endorsed Ali Isa Abdullahi as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Gatekeepers News reports that the endorsement came amid reports of disapproval from some quarters within the Southern Borno chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where a few party members had reportedly expressed reservations over Abdullahi’s emergence as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
However, the latest endorsement by key stakeholders of the Biu Emirate which consists of four key Local Government Areas of Biu, Hawul , Kwaya- Kusar and Bayo where the deputy governor is allways zoned to , is seen as a strong vote of confidence in Abdullahi’s candidacy and a demonstration of growing support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The Emir of Biu gave the endorsement during APC stakeholders meeting which had the party’s big wigs from Southern Borno held at the Multipurpose hall of Government House , Maiduguri , the state capital
According to the Emir of Biu ” We want to also use this opportunity to dismiss unnecessary speculations that Ali Isa Abdullahi is not an indigene of Biu.
“As the Emir of Biu, my house is just 50 meters away from the family house of Ali Isa Abdullahi located in Tashan Danfulani. We have been together with his parents, siblings and relations for decades.
“We are here at the Government House, Your Excellency, to extend our heartfelt appreciation to you for choosing one of our own, Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi, as the Deputy Governorship Candidate for Borno in the 2027 general elections.”
“We are behind you 100%. The good choice you took is a welcome development, and we have no doubt that our son is capable of being paired with the APC Governorship Candidate to consolidate on the gains and achievements recorded under your good leadership as you complete your second tenure come May 2027.” The Emir said.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, urged party stakeholders to remain calm, united, and appealed to party faithful to set aside personal interests and work collectively to ensure the APC’s continued success ahead of the 2027 elections .
Zulum called on them to accept the emergence of Abdullahi as the party’s deputy governorship candidate as an act of divine providence, stressing that leadership is ultimately determined by the will of God.
“I am highly delighted, Your Royal Highness and all other stakeholders, for finding time to come all the way from your comfort zones to offer your collective appreciation to me and the Government of Borno State for endorsing your son, Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi, as running mate to our gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Mustapha Gubio.
“It is God that gives power to whom He wishes, and therefore, let me use this medium to call on the people of the Emirate and Borno State as a whole to unite and give everyone their maximum support and cooperation to ensure victory for the APC from top to bottom come the 2027 general elections.
“We should be wary of divisiveness among our people. This will bring further disunity, instability and underdevelopment in our dear state.”
“I am not against any person emerging as the deputy gubernatorial candidate. However, his emergence was a product of proper consultation with Engineer Mustapha Gubio, who has worked closely with Alhaji Ali Abdullahi at the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement,” Zulum said .
