Ndume Pushes for New Constituencies in Borno South to Deepen Grassroots Representation

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A fresh drive to reshape political representation in Borno State is gaining momentum as Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume intensifies efforts to secure additional State Assembly constituencies across Borno South.

The lawmaker, who represents the district in the Senate, is advocating for the delineation and activation of new constituencies in key areas, including Gwoza, Askira/Uba, and Biu. The move, he argues, is necessary to reflect current demographic realities and improve access to governance for underserved communities.

Senator Ndume based his proposal on the expansive landmass, scattered settlements, and challenging terrain that define much of Borno South. He also pointed to the evolving population dynamics driven by post-insurgency resettlement, which have significantly altered the structure and needs of communities in the region.

According to him, the existing constituency framework no longer adequately represents the people, stressing that effective democracy requires closer engagement between elected officials and constituents.

If approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the proposal would lead to the creation of additional State Assembly seats in the affected areas, thereby enhancing legislative accessibility and strengthening grassroots participation.

Observers say the initiative could correct long-standing imbalances in representation and bring governance closer to communities that have faced years of displacement and rebuilding challenges.

Senator Ndume, widely known for his advocacy on security, governance, and humanitarian recovery in the Northeast, maintained that democratic dividends must be tangible at the local level.

“This is about ensuring that governance is not distant but accessible,” he noted, adding that communities in Gwoza, Askira/Uba, and Biu deserve a stronger voice in decision-making processes.

The proposal is already attracting attention from stakeholders, with many describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at improving inclusivity and accelerating development across Borno South.

Tragedy in Camp: Female NYSC Member Dies in Maiduguri Hospital After Orientation Activities

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whose identity has not been disclosed, has died in Maiduguri, Borno State, following activities at the temporary orientation camp.

The corps member reportedly passed away on Monday evening at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where she had been taken for medical attention.

Initial reports suggested that the death occurred after an evening parade drill at the camp. However, the NYSC in Borno State has refuted this claim, clarifying that the incident did not happen during the exercise.

Confirming the development over the weekend, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Nasir Bello, explained that the corps member had arrived at the camp with a pre-existing health condition.

“She died in the teaching hospital and not during parade drills. She reported to camp, and unfortunately, she had an underlying ailment,” he said.

Bello declined to disclose details of the ailment, noting that such information falls within the purview of medical authorities.

“It is not within my responsibility as state coordinator to make that public. You may direct such enquiries to the hospital where she was confirmed dead,” he added.

The incident has cast a shadow over activities at the orientation camp, even as officials maintain that due process was followed in handling the situation, which has raised concerns among participants about safety and transparency in the camp’s operations.

2027: Gubio Enters Borno Governorship Race as APC Faces Likely Primaries

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The political landscape in Borno State is gradually taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, as former Commissioner for Works and Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engr. Mustapha Gubio, has formally declared his ambition by obtaining the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship nomination form.

Gubio’s early move is being interpreted by political observers as a signal that the ruling party in the state may abandon the option of a consensus candidate and instead conduct competitive primaries in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Sources within the party confirmed that the engineer-turned-politician recently met with Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House to formally present his governorship aspiration. He was accompanied by Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Chief Whip of the Senate representing Borno North Senatorial District.

Although Gubio appears to be the first aspirant to publicly take this step, insiders say the race is far from settled. There are growing indications that more than a dozen aspirants may soon obtain their expression of interest and nomination forms, setting the stage for what could become a highly contested primary within the APC.

Governor Zulum has consistently maintained a neutral stance on succession, repeatedly stating at public engagements that he does not have a preferred candidate to succeed him in 2027, adding that leadership ultimately rests in the hands of God and the electorate.

Meanwhile, key stakeholders across the state—including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of the organised private sector—are said to be prioritising continuity. Many are advocating for a successor capable of sustaining and expanding the administration’s ongoing socio-economic development programmes.

With political activities gradually intensifying, Borno’s 2027 governorship race is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the region.