Zulum Pushes Consensus Option Ahead of APC Primaries in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged aspirants contesting for elective positions under the All Progressives Congress in Borno State to embrace consensus as the preferred option for selecting candidates ahead of the party’s primaries.

The governor made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Maiduguri, where party leaders and aspirants gathered to deliberate on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The APC primaries are expected to begin on Friday, May 15, with House of Representatives contests, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23 in Abuja.

Mr Zulum said consensus remains the best strategy for preserving unity within the party and positioning it strongly for future elections.

He commended party stakeholders for their continued support and loyalty to the APC administration in the state.

“As we prepare for the primaries, I want to remind all aspirants that consensus remains the most viable option for our party in Borno State,” the governor said.

He, however, noted that the party would resort to direct primaries if consensus arrangements fail.

The governor also assured party members that democratic principles would be respected throughout the process, stressing that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency.

According to him, consultations among stakeholders should continue to ensure acceptable candidates emerge across the state.

Mr Zulum urged aspirants to remain committed to the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries, adding that those who fail to secure tickets could still benefit from future political opportunities.

He further disclosed that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests may be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both state and federal levels.

To coordinate consultations across the state, the governor inaugurated zonal consultative committees for the three senatorial districts.

The deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, will head the Southern Zone committee, while the APC deputy national chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, will oversee the Central Zone. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno was appointed to coordinate the Northern Zone consultations.

During the meeting, Mr Zulum also formally presented Engr Mustapha Gubio as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, fulfilling an earlier commitment made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in April.

Speaking at the gathering, Mr Dalori and the APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba, backed the consensus arrangement, saying it would strengthen party cohesion and improve the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.

Zulum Sends Seven Commissioner Nominees to Borno Assembly After Cabinet Shake-Up

By Tada Jtha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has forwarded the names of seven commissioner nominees to the Borno State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, weeks after dissolving his 22-member cabinet in a move widely linked to political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

The nominees were submitted to the Assembly on Tuesday through an executive communication transmitted by the governor and formally read during plenary in Maiduguri.

Speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, announced the list before lawmakers, paving the way for the screening process expected to begin before the end of next week.

Those nominated include Alhaji Sugun Mai Mele, Prof. Usman Tar, Hon. Saina Buba, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Umar Lawan Dalorima, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana, and Hon. Aliyu Mohammed Buba, a former Commissioner for Transport and Energy.

The fresh nominations come barely a month after Governor Zulum dissolved the state executive council, a decision believed to have created room for political appointments and future ambitions ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The administration said the latest move is part of efforts to strengthen governance, promote inclusiveness, and improve service delivery across the state.

The nominees are expected to appear before the Assembly for screening and possible confirmation before their eventual inauguration into the state cabinet.

UNICEF, Borno Move to Immunize 1.6 Million Children Against Polio, Other Diseases

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services to immunize about 1.6 million children against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases across the state.

The intervention targets children under the age of six, with authorities aiming to achieve 85 per cent immunization coverage in 2026.

Speaking during a media dialogue organised to commemorate the 2026 World Immunization Week in Maiduguri on Tuesday, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Hassan Saidu Malgwi, said coordinated vaccination campaigns remain critical in protecting children from deadly diseases.

He explained that illnesses such as polio and six other child-killer diseases can be prevented through routine immunization and improved healthcare services.

Dr. Malgwi urged parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated, stressing that immunization remains one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from life-threatening infections.

According to him, maintaining personal hygiene and ensuring a clean environment are also essential in preventing diseases such as cholera and polio, particularly in vulnerable communities.

He disclosed that 229,924 children have already been fully immunized across the 19 Local Government Areas of the state.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Community and Family Health Services in the state, Abdulwahab Mala, said the government was intensifying efforts to raise immunization coverage to 85 per cent before the end of the year.

He noted that the target would help health authorities protect more than two million children, especially those living in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities.

“The state government is working towards an immunization coverage of 85 per cent before the end of this year,” he said.

Mala added that ongoing collaboration between the state government, UNICEF, and other development partners has significantly improved vaccination coverage in Borno over the years.

He revealed that immunization coverage in the state has risen to 68 per cent since 2020 due to sustained campaigns and improved healthcare interventions.

Despite security challenges in some parts of the state, Mala commended the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and the Nigerian Army for helping health workers gain access to vulnerable children in remote communities over the past 15 years.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Borno State Government and its partners to sustaining efforts aimed at eradicating polio and other preventable diseases among children.