Tobias Sylvester
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has been announced as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries ahead of the forthcoming general elections in 2023.
Babagana Zulum APC Borno
The Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee in the state, Uba Maigari, declared the governor as winner of the election at the end of the exercise held in Maiduguri.
Maigari said Zulum emerged unopposed being the only aspirant in the election, adding that 1,422 delegates were accredited while 1,411 voted and endorsed the governor through voice vote.
While addressing delegates after the primaries on Thursday, the governor revealed that he has been approached by presidential aspirants to be their running mate in the 2023 general election.
Zulum said he rejected the offers because he would rather prefer to focus on continuing his achievements as governor to complete the works he started in the North-East state.
He said, “As you all know, the APC will be holding presidential primaries this coming weekend. I have seen all kinds of promotional media content, including articles by notable columnists, associating me with the 2023 presidency.
“Let me reveal with apologies, that some close associates of key presidential aspirants have sent me offers for the position of running mate, as possible vice-president, depending on the outcome of the APC presidential primaries by the weekend.
“I have thought deeply about these offers because becoming vice-president is considered attractive. I have thought about all the powers and privileges of being VP. I can see the honour of presiding over meetings attended by governors and ministers, and the privilege of having a presidential jet at one’s disposal. I can see the honour of presidential receptions within and outside Nigeria.
“However, I have asked myself, that should I get the opportunity to become VP and raise my political profile, what happens to all our ongoing works for the people of Borno state?
“We have built more than 10,000 houses, and currently more of such and reconstructing existing ones, for ongoing resettlement of our people. We have resettled more than 20 communities so far. Yet, thousands of our fellow citizens are still homeless and in desperate need of food, water, and healthcare.
“We have adopted a development plan that we are already implementing. I have asked myself, what happens to all these plans that I am central to, which are helping to fast-track our recovery in Borno state?
“Ladies and gentlemen, the killings in Kala-Balge at the weekend made me more critical, and the incident seriously reminded me of the challenges that are still ahead of us in Borno state.
“I came to the conclusion that while a chance to become vice-president could benefit my profile as an individual, becoming reelected as governor of Borno state has the potential of more assurance of benefit to the good people of Borno state.
“I, therefore, say that while I thank those who may be considering me for the position of VP, I prefer to stay back and work drastically for the people of Borno state, because for me as a citizen of Borno state, working with others to hastily rebuild Borno state is the most urgent need and it is beyond any aspiration.
“I profoundly thank everyone who thought of me worthy of any responsibility and I pray that Allah helps us to work towards the full restoration of peace, the full recovery and growth of Borno state.”
Governor Zulum also thanked stakeholders and delegates of the APC in the state, as well as the Borno people for their support.
Meanwhile, Tonye Cole, a Lagos-based businessman and an ally to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has won the APC governorship primary in Rivers State.
