By Abubakar H. Muhammad (9News Nigeria, Northeast)
Engr. Mustapha Gubio has pledged to deepen Borno’s recovery and development drive, promising to scale up resettlement, education, agriculture, and infrastructure if elected governor in 2027.
Gubio made the commitment Thursday in Maiduguri after his affirmation as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, following a consensus process overseen by the party’s primary election committee.
“By the will of Allah, if given the mandate, we will pursue these responsibilities with renewed vigour and determination,” Gubio said in his acceptance speech.
He outlined plans to intensify the fight against insurgency, build on current resettlement efforts through Resettlement Mega Hubs, and accelerate reconstruction of communities destroyed by insurgency.
On education, he said the administration would “continue to invest heavily in education and vocational training to reduce further the number of out-of-school children, combat illiteracy—particularly in rural communities—and equip our youth with skills for self-reliance and productivity.”
Gubio also promised to sustain healthcare initiatives, expand empowerment programs for women and youth, and maintain zero tolerance for corruption and political thuggery.
He listed priorities including rural electrification through solar systems, provision of potable water, all-year-round agriculture for food sufficiency, and support for sports and recreation.
The affirmation capped a process Gubio said was made possible by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
“I am particularly grateful to my mentor and benefactor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum… for his unwavering support, mentorship, confidence, and encouragement throughout my journey in public service,” he said.
Zulum, Shettima Hails Consensus Process
Governor Zulum described Gubio’s emergence as “the will of Almighty Allah” and thanked Tinubu and Shettima for creating an “enabling environment” for rancour-free primaries across the state.
Shettima, who attended the ceremony at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, called for unity among party members who lost out in the process.
“There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest. I implore all those who might have lost out to please let us sheath our swords for the good of our people,” Shettima said.
The event was presided over by committee chairman Chief Emma Eneukwu and attended by former governors Ali Modu Sheriff and Maina Ma’aji Lawan and APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori.
Others are APC State Chairman Bello Ayuba, Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Kaka Shehu Lawan among others.
