Borno State Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Musa Askira has withdrawn from the contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket for the South Borno Senatorial District in the run‑up to the 2027 general election. The decision, communicated through his aide Bilyaminu Umar Ngulde on Wednesday, came after extensive consultations with party stakeholders in the region.
In a formal statement, Ngulde said the APC’s internal deliberations concluded that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume would retain the party’s ticket for the forthcoming election. Following the party’s request, Askira “graciously complied” and stepped aside in favour of the incumbent senator.
The statement further urged Askira’s supporters in Askira‑Uba and across the southern senatorial district to give their “100 % support” to Senator Ndume. It also called for peace, unity and a collective commitment to the development of Southern Borno.
The move clears the path for Ndume, who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate. The incumbent’s re‑nomination is expected to strengthen his position as he prepares to contest the 2027 elections.
The APC’s decision reflects broader efforts within the party to consolidate support behind incumbent candidates ahead of the national polls. Southern Borno, a key political zone in Nigeria’s northeast, has historically been a stronghold for the APC, and the leadership’s endorsement of Ndume aims to maintain that advantage.
As the 2027 electoral cycle progresses, the party’s internal alignment in Borno State may influence voter sentiment and campaign dynamics in the region. Observers will watch how the unified front shapes the contest for the Senate seat and whether it translates into broader electoral gains for the APC in the upcoming general elections.
