Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Thursday urged aspirants seeking various elective positions on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and party stakeholders to adopt consensus as the preferred mode for candidate emergence ahead of the party primaries.
Governor Zulum made the call at a critical stakeholders’ meeting of the APC that was held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He insisted that consensus remained the most viable option for strengthening the party’s unity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC primary elections are scheduled to commence on Saturday, May 16, 2026 with that of the House of Representatives.
Zulum said: “Let me start by appreciating all our stakeholders for the support and commitment to advancing the course of our great party, APC, and our administration.
“As we prepare for the party primaries, which will commence on Friday, I want to remind all our aspirants contesting various elective positions that consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state.
“However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries.”
The governor emphasised his commitment to democratic principles, assuring stakeholders that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency.
“As a democrat, I will not force any candidate on a particular constituency, but rather encourage us to continue consultations with stakeholders for consensus candidates to emerge,” Zulum stated.
He urged aspirants to reflect on the past, project better opportunities in the future and maintain party loyalty, noting that those who may not secure tickets in the 2027 elections could still have chances ahead.
He also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both the federal and state levels.
To facilitate consultations across the state, the governor constituted zonal consultative committees headed by his Deputy, Dr. Usman Kadafur, for the Southern Zone; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, for the Central Zone; and Senator Mohammed Monguno for the Northern Zone.
Zulum also presented the APC consensus governorship candidate, Mustapha Gubio, to the stakeholders, fulfilling the promise he made during the high-level stakeholders’ meeting on April 25.
Dalori, and the state Chairman of the party, Bello Ayuba, also re-echoed the need for consensus as the means of primary election in the state.
They emphasised that consensus would strengthen the party’s cohesion and unity in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
