BORNO State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has endorsed his immediate past Commissioner for Works, Mustapha Gubio, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, a development that is already setting the stage for what observers believe could become a fierce contest within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the endorsement was confirmed by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Dauda Iliya, who disclosed that Governor Zulum personally received Gubio shortly after he obtained his nomination form in Abuja.
“Yes, Gubio is the anointed candidate of His Excellency who visited him shortly after the purchase of nomination form in Abuja,” Iliya told Daily Trust.
The political move followed the circulation of photographs shared by one of the governor’s aides, showing Mustapha Gubio presenting his expression of interest and nomination forms to Governor Zulum.
In the photographs, Gubio was seen standing alongside the governor, Senate Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, as well as several supporters who accompanied him during the visit.
However, the endorsement has already generated discussions within political circles in Borno State, particularly among members of the APC, with analysts warning that the development could widen existing divisions within the party ahead of the governorship primaries.
Political observers believe the governor’s decision may not go down well with loyalists of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is widely regarded as a major political force in Borno State with considerable influence over the party structure.
“There are clear signs of parallel interests,” a political analyst in Maiduguri said. “Both Zulum and Shettima appear to have preferred camps, and that could complicate party unity ahead of the primaries.”
The unfolding situation has further fueled speculations about an emerging power tussle between political allies who have long dominated the state’s political landscape, with insiders hinting at growing unease between the camps loyal to both leaders.
Gubio’s emergence in the race has also expanded the list of aspirants jostling for the APC governorship ticket, thereby raising the political stakes ahead of what many now expect to be a highly competitive primary election.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
According to the electoral body, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
INEC further stated that political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including the resolution of internal disputes, between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The commission also announced that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will officially commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections are expected to begin on September 9, 2026.