By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri 

Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, on Wednesday picked his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms to contest for the governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the state come 2027 general elections. 

Lawan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who joined the race and is hopeful to become Governor Babagana Zulum’s successor, was accompanied by a retinue of party stakeholders, teaming supporters and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, among others in Abuja.

This is as the Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, said, he only anointed his immediate past Commissioner of Works and Housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio FNSE shortly after receiving a delegation that presented purchased Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for the governorship contest, contrary to reports in some sections of the media claiming that ‘the Governor endorsed Gubio’ as his successor.

This clarification was made on Wednesday in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Dauda Iliya. 

Speaking to Journalists shortly after he obtained the governorship form, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima and Governor Babagana Zulum for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices to the unity of the APC, the people in Borno and the country as a whole.

On why he is vying for the governorship seat, and whether he backs the consensus arrangement of the party for candidates to emerge, he said: ” I am a Lawyer, and I have what it takes to use my expertise and knowledge gained over the years in the law and law-making business to transform our dear state through inclusive governance and sustainable development.

“The Electoral Act provides two options for candidates to emerge, either by primaries or consensus, so whichever way our stakeholders and teaming supporters adopt, I am very much prepared for it”. Lawan explained.

The Senator insisted that he is in support of the consensus arrangement made by the APC for choosing candidates, adding that he strongly aligned himself with the consensus.

Lawan, however, said that if consensus failed, a primary election must be conducted, and whoever emerges as the winner must carry the day.

Those who accompanied the Aspirant are members representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) at the national Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Political to President Bola Tinubu (Office of the Vice-President) Hon. Mahammad Goni Malud, elder statesman, Hon. Lawan Maina Mahmud, former Chairmen of MMC, Hon. Chiroma Usman and Hon. Bakari Ali Kotoko, Members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), among others.

Meanwhile, Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday backpedalled and said in Abuja that he only anointed his immediate past Commissioner of Works and Housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio FNSE shortly after receiving a delegation that presented purchased Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for the governorship contest under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, contrary to reports in some sections of the media claiming that He (Governor endorsed Gubio) as his successor.

The clarification was made in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Dauda Iliya. 

The Governor’s Spokesperson said, “Receiving contestants is a routine tradition of responsible leaders to bless and offer prayers for success in democratic dispensation. 

“Governor Zulum, as the leader of APC in Borno State, not only received Engr. Gubio, who has indicated interest in vying for the governorship seat, interestingly, the former Commissioner was also the first to obtain the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for the governorship race.

“Zulum also received contestants from the Borno North Senatorial seat, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and House of Representatives member for Monguno/Nganzai/Marte Federal Constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba, among others, who also presented their forms. More of such aspirants are coming and His Excellency, the Governor, will receive them and wish them well in their political ambition.

“Our leader, the Governor, is a committed democrat and believes in inclusivity”. Iliya said.

Recalled that during a stakeholders’ meeting last Saturday, 25th April 2026, at the Government House, Zulum announced that another meeting would be convened to present the party’s candidates. End