Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have endorsed the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, for the Borno South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a potential political contest with incumbent Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.
The endorsement followed a series of consultations across the nine local government areas in the district, amid growing calls for power rotation and equitable representation within the zone.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, a prominent political figure in the area, Sule Gambo, said the move was driven by the need to restore a long-standing zoning arrangement that had been overlooked.
“It was we, the people of Askira/Uba, who initiated this arrangement. We agreed that the seat should shift to Gwoza to give them a sense of belonging,” Gambo stated.
He, however, lamented that the rotation principle had not been sustained after the tenure of the late Senator Mohammed Mahdi.
“The senatorial seat is supposed to rotate among Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, and Askira/Uba. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for a long time,” he added.
Stakeholders described Askira’s emergence as a strategic step toward restoring political balance in the district, urging party members to unite behind his candidacy.
“By the will of God, the time has come for Askira/Uba. One of our illustrious sons, Engineer Abdullahi Askira, has shown interest, and we want to ensure the principle of rotation is upheld,” Gambo said.
Adding a gender perspective, a women leader in the area, Tafu Malla, commended Askira’s grassroots engagement and empowerment initiatives, particularly among youths and women.
“He maintains a genuine open-door policy and is always there for the poor,” she said, noting that many women have benefitted from his employment and empowerment programmes.
Also speaking, a retired Permanent Secretary and former Special Adviser from Chibok, Hawa Mai-Musa, stressed the importance of fairness in political representation.
“To be fair to the people of Chibok and Askira/Uba, it is time for a rotation. Engineer Askira is a proven leader whose track record shows he has been tested,” she said.
Highlighting the role of women in elections, she added, “Women carry the bulk of the votes in Borno—at least 70 per cent. If we stand with him, he will surely succeed.”
From the Uba Emirate, Adamu Jafiya emphasized the need for development-focused representation, noting that the district requires leadership capable of attracting federal presence.
“While others are bringing federal projects to their zones, we are busy with political wars. We need Engr. Askira to bring his professional and legislative experience to the Senate,” he said.
The agitation for the proposed “Savannah State” has also emerged as a key campaign issue, with supporters noting that Askira’s advocacy has strengthened his political profile within the district.
However, political analysts say the influence of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume remains significant, given his long-standing presence in the National Assembly and deep-rooted political network.
Despite this, the coordinated endorsement of Askira signals a growing momentum within the APC to reshape the political dynamics of Borno South ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, the Deputy Speaker is yet to make a formal declaration, as his camp awaits further direction from the party leadership.
