The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

The political storm that threatened to fracture the Borno State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been averted. After hours of intense negotiations, dialogue, and high-level horse-trading, the party’s leadership, spearheaded by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has finally reached a truce, endorsing Engineer Mustapha Gubio—the preferred candidate of Governor Babagana Zulum – as the party’s consensus flagbearer for the upcoming governorship election.

The breakthrough came late Thursday following a marathon meeting of the state’s political heavyweights in Abuja. The high-powered session was attended by Vice President Shettima, former Governor Maina Maaji Lawan, and key federal lawmakers, including Senators Ali Ndume, Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Also present were the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; members of the House of Representatives, Betara and Kadiri Rahis; and Engineer Monguno.

The Path to Consensus
The agreement marks a significant shift from the looming confrontation that had divided the party’s ranks in recent days. Under the terms of the settlement, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, who had initially picked up his nomination and expression of interest forms to challenge Mr. Gubio, has agreed to step down from the governorship race. In a move described by party insiders as a “strategic realignment,” Senator Lawan is now set to seek a second term in the Senate.

The resolution effectively buries the “free-for-all” scenario that many feared would expose the APC to opposition incursions in the state.
Presidential Intervention
Multiple sources within the party confirmed that the breakthrough was heavily influenced by President Bola Tinubu. It was gathered that the President personally waded into the matter, pressuring the Vice President to prioritize party unity over the local succession impasse.

President Tinubu, according to insiders, expressed concern that a protracted primary contest in the home state of the Vice President could trigger a systemic collapse of the party’s cohesion ahead of the general election. The President’s intervention reportedly provided the necessary political cover for the Vice President to make a concession, ultimately clearing the way for Mr. Gubio’s candidacy.

Zulum’s Vision for Continuity
The resolution is a major political victory for Governor Zulum, whose administration has been a vocal proponent of Mr. Gubio was the ideal successor to sustain the momentum of his tenure.

Following the truce, the focus of the APC in Borno now shifts from internal competition to a unified front. The decision to adopt a consensus candidate -a sharp departure from the anticipated direct primaries – is expected to stabilize the party and allow it to pivot toward the main electoral battle.

As the dust settles, the party leadership is expected to commence efforts to reconcile all aggrieved factions, aiming to present a united front to ensure the consolidation of the APC’s grip on Borno State. For now, the “Home of Peace” appears to have found political harmony, at least for the duration of the 2026 electoral cycle.