Zulum Dissolves Cabinet as Borno 2027 Succession Race Begins

Zulum Dissolves Cabinet as Borno 2027 Succession Race Begins

By Auwal Ahmad, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has dissolved the 22-member State Executive Council in a move that signals the beginning of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision, announced on Sunday, is widely considered a strategic step to allow members of the outgoing cabinet and other political appointees who may be interested in elective offices to prepare for the next electoral cycle.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Bukar Tijani, said the dissolution takes immediate effect.

He added that all former commissioners have been directed to hand over the affairs of their respective ministries, departments, and agencies to their permanent secretaries on or before Friday, April 3, 2026.

The government stated that the action aimed to create a conducive environment for any former cabinet member aspiring to contest political office in 2027.

Mr Zulum also used the opportunity to commend the outgoing commissioners for their service to the state.

He expressed appreciation for what he described as their dedication, commitment, and contributions to governance, particularly by supporting the administration’s efforts to rebuild and stabilise Borno.

The cabinet shake-up comes at a time when political conversations in the state are increasingly shifting toward the question of who succeeds the governor at the end of his tenure.

Although no formal declarations have been made, there are already indications that some former commissioners and political actors, particularly from Borno North and Borno Central Senatorial Districts, are positioning themselves for the governorship race.

The development has intensified interest in the succession debate, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where consultations are reportedly accelerating.

Mr Zulum had earlier stirred political discussions when he told party supporters during the APC State Congress in Maiduguri that he did not have a preferred successor.

He believes that God will ultimately determine who becomes the next governor.

“It is the Almighty God that will determine who becomes my successor among the many aspirants from the three senatorial districts,” the governor said.

His comment has since continued to resonate in political circles, with many party loyalists and stakeholders interpreting it as a sign that the succession battle may remain open and competitive.

Political observers say the dissolution of the cabinet may not only free interested appointees to pursue their ambitions but could also mark the start of a broader power contest over the future direction of the state after Zulum.

The stakes are considered high, given the governor’s visible footprint in infrastructure development, the resettlement of internally displaced persons, education, healthcare, and post-conflict recovery since he assumed office in 2019.

For many residents and political stakeholders, the central concern is no longer just who emerges next, but whether the eventual successor will have the political will, administrative depth and public trust to sustain the pace of development already set in motion.

With 2027 still months away, Borno’s political landscape appears to be gradually entering a defining phase—one in which ambition, regional balance, party calculations, and governance legacies are expected to shape the contest ahead.