…The development that Borno APC Endorses Tinubu carries significant political weight.
Maiduguri, Nigeria — The iNews Times | The political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections gathered fresh momentum on Saturday as Borno APC Endorses Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for re-election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The unanimous endorsement, reached at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri, signals an early consolidation of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu within one of the ruling party’s strongest northern bases.
The decision was taken during a critical stakeholders’ gathering presided over by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, drawing influential party stalwarts from all 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State. The resolution reaffirmed the state chapter’s backing of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential race, reinforcing Borno’s strategic role in the APC’s national electoral calculations.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications of the endorsement as the countdown to 2027 begins.
Background of the Story
Borno State has remained a stronghold of the APC since the party’s formation in 2013. The state delivered significant votes in both the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, with Kashim Shettima’s emergence as Vice President further strengthening the region’s political alignment with the ruling party.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, elected in 2023 after a fiercely contested poll, is expected to seek a second term in office in 2027, although formal declarations are yet to be made at the national level. Within the APC, however, subtle alignments and endorsements have begun surfacing across various states, reflecting early internal positioning.
The Maiduguri meeting therefore represents one of the clearest and most coordinated endorsements from a major northern state chapter of the party.
Key Developments
At the meeting, Governor Zulum moved a motion formally supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket for the 2027 elections. The motion received unanimous backing from stakeholders present, effectively cementing the state chapter’s position.
The endorsement did not stop at presidential support. Governor Zulum also urged party faithful to begin mobilising for what he described as a “massive vote” for the APC in Borno during the forthcoming general elections.
“Our party’s victory at the forthcoming polls can only be achieved when the long-standing unity among stakeholders is maintained,” Zulum declared, underscoring the importance of internal cohesion.
The gathering witnessed an unprecedented turnout of party leaders and officeholders. Among those in attendance were Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, State APC Chairman Bello Ayuba, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari.
Also present were three former deputy governors, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, serving and former senators, members of the House of Representatives, state lawmakers, and party executives at state and local government levels.
The large turnout signaled not just symbolic endorsement but structured political consensus.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Stakeholders at the meeting described the endorsement as both strategic and necessary. Several party leaders commended the Tinubu administration’s policies while acknowledging the challenges confronting the nation.
Governor Zulum emphasised that his administration had remained fair to all political stakeholders over the past seven years, reiterating his commitment to inclusive governance.
“In the last seven years, we have tried to carry everyone along. I pray that God guides whoever succeeds me to build on the successes recorded so far,” he stated.
He assured attendees that governance would remain his top priority, stressing that politics would not distract him from delivering the dividends of democracy, particularly to rural communities that have historically borne the brunt of insurgency and infrastructural deficits.
Party officials who spoke at the event echoed calls for unity, arguing that Borno’s electoral strength must once again reflect in overwhelming support for the APC in 2027.
Implications
The development that Borno APC Endorses Tinubu carries significant political weight. Borno is not only symbolically important as Vice President Shettima’s home state, but also strategically positioned within the North-East geopolitical zone.
Early endorsements often serve to consolidate party structures, discourage internal dissent and signal loyalty to national leadership. For President Tinubu, securing visible backing from influential northern blocs could strengthen his standing ahead of what is expected to be a competitive 2027 contest.
However, analysts note that early endorsements do not eliminate potential intra-party negotiations or opposition challenges. Economic concerns, security issues and voter sentiment will ultimately shape the national electoral landscape.
Still, the Maiduguri endorsement sends a clear message: Borno intends to remain firmly aligned with the APC’s central leadership.
What Happens Next
While the national APC leadership has yet to formally open the 2027 presidential nomination process, similar endorsements from other states are expected in the coming months.
Political observers will be watching whether other northern and southern state chapters replicate Borno’s move, potentially creating a bandwagon effect within the party.
Attention will also turn to how opposition parties respond, particularly in regions where voter dissatisfaction over economic hardship and security challenges could influence electoral outcomes.
For now, the endorsement positions Borno as an early anchor of support within the ruling party’s 2027 strategy.
Conclusion
The declaration that Borno APC Endorses Tinubu marks one of the earliest organised state-level endorsements ahead of the 2027 general elections. Beyond symbolic support, it reflects calculated political alignment, internal consolidation and strategic positioning within the APC.
As Nigeria edges closer to another electoral cycle, such moves will increasingly define the battle lines of 2027. The iNews Times will continue to track the unfolding political alignments shaping the nation’s democratic future.
