By Abdulkareem Haruna

Some days ago, I was at a barbing saloon and naturally, the conversation around Borno 2027 and who would succeed His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum erupted. I usually avoid jumping into public debates; as a journalist, I prefer to listen quietly and gauge the public mood. However, a mutual friend put me on the spot by drawing me into the conversation, asking: “Abdulkareem, you’re the journalist here – and you guys know these people well; fisabilliahi, what’s your take on this – do you honestly think Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan should be allowed to take the wheel of government in this our state?”

I paused from what I was doing and looked at the countenance of the person asking this question. I noticed that his inquiry was not born out of simple curiosity but rather it was laced with a certain level of negative demeanour and an already made-up mind. I smiled, adjusted my seat, and said: “Look, only God grants power to whom He wishes.”

I had intended to let the matter rest after making that point; but I realized that doing so would not do justice to the situation. I felt it was necessary to educate people like him on the dangers of condemning public officials from the sidelines without having ample and sound  information or knowledge about them. So, addressing both him and the onlookers in the room, I said: “To further answer your question, you first have to understand the unique bridge Kaka Shehu Lawan has built between two distinct APC-led  administrations of Borno’s history.”

In the world of politics, we often mistake noise for impact. But for those of us who have covered the beat in Borno for decades, we know that the most effective work is often done in the trenches of loyalty and law. And Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan is the embodiment of this.

VP Shettima being received by Deputy Governor Kadafur, and Sen KS Lawan

Long before he was a Senator, KS Lawan was the legal shield of the state. As the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, he didn’t just interpret laws; he navigated the complex legal hurdles of a state under siege especially during the height of the insurgency. He was a man of the “inner circle” who never felt the need to outshine his masters – a quality that is increasingly rare in our political climate today.

We must agree that the success of Borno today is built on a unique synergy between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. This ‘Borno model’ of seamless transition and mutual respect is the envy of the nation. Kaka Shehu Lawan stands at the center of this relationship. He earned his stripes under Shettima and reinforced his value under Zulum. He has been the ultimate party man, showing an absolute loyalty that isn’t about blind followership, but about a shared vision for the state’s security and development. If the current “succession plan” is about maintaining the momentum of the current administration while honoring the foundations laid by the “godfather,”  then the likes of  KS Lawan are the natural heir to that legacy.

When he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2024, it wasn’t just a win for the legal profession; it was a win for Borno. It showed  that the man representing Borno Central has the intellectual weight to compete at the highest levels of national governance.

Governor Zulum in one of those invaluable moments of consultation with Sen. KS Lawan

But beyond the titles, his commitment to the security of the state remains his greatest credential. He has headed strategic committees that required both a tough hand and a fair mind. He is a man who has sat at the table where the most critical decisions for Borno’s survival were made.”- he understands the security architecture of Borno better than almost any other civilian contender.

Why Not Kaka Shehu?
Returning to my friend’s question, I asked him my own  question: “Why not Kaka Shehu?” And he could not give me a clear response. So I continued. “Why not Kaka Shehu If we are looking for someone who has the absolute trust of both Vice President Shettima and Governor Zulum; who possesses the legal brilliance to protect the state’s interests; who has shown unshaken commitment  to the ruling APC and the state’s security during its darkest hours; and who  has the humility to continue a vision rather than trying to dismantle it for personal ego.”

My friend could not give me any response but continued to shake his head like an agama lizard. So I decided to be fair to him and I asked:
“If not Kaka Shehu then who in your enlightened mind and conviction do you feel is better prepared than him to emerge as a candidate for the ruling APC? Still my friend could not mumble any answer.

So I said to him, as I paid my barber, and was about to take my leave. “It is Allah (SWT) who gives power to whom He wishes, but we must understand that Borno is at a crossroads where it cannot afford a “trial and error”  leader. The governor has raised the bar of leadership and it must never be lowered. Just like in 2019 when Shettima luckily handed Borno an amazing leader like Professor Zulum, the 2027 succession should not be about a change of names; it should be about the survival of a development template that is working.”
For me, supporting people like Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN) is an investment in stability. He is a proven hand – a man who has been tried by fire and has come out as gold.

As the conversation for 2027 heats up, it is time to look past the negativity of the skeptics and recognize that sometimes, the best leader for the future is the one who has been consistently loyal to the progress of the past.”

As we parted, the consensus was Allah ya zaba mana mafi alkhairi (May God’s choice prevail).