Gov Babagana Zulum of Borno has presented Mr Mustafa Gubio as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Mr Dauda Iliya, on Friday in Maiduguri.

Iliya quoted the governor as saying during the presentation in Abuja on Thursday that Gubio’s emergence as the party’s candidate was a result of the outcome of extensive consultations with party stakeholders.

According to the statement, Zulum said that the decision reflects a unified position within the party in the state.

Further, it commended President Bola Tinubu’s strategic leadership for the support and guidance to the government and the APC.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the leadership he is providing in the country and for the enormous support to Borno State as well as the APC, which has been unprecedented.

“I would also like to commend the President, who has been instrumental in the emergence of Gubio as the consensus candidate,” he said.

Zulum also acknowledged the vice-president’s support in strengthening party cohesion in the state and for his support of the consensus candidate.

He also expressed appreciation to the APC leadership at all levels, party stakeholders, and the state’s residents for their support.

The governor had earlier presented Gubio as his preferred successor on Monday after purchasing the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 governorship election under the APC platform.

Those in attendance during the presentation of the consensus candidate include former Gov. Maina Ma’aji Lawan; Zulum’s deputy, Usman Kadafur; APC Deputy National Chairman, Bukar Dalori; Sen. Mohammed Monguno; Sen. Ali Ndume; and Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Others are the speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; the minister of agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; and Mr Abdulkadir Rahis. (NAN)