Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State became visibly emotional on Saturday as he publicly appealed for forgiveness from stakeholders and individuals he may have offended during his time in office.
The governor made the appeal during a high-level meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders held at the Government House in Maiduguri, drawing attention to both his emotional display and the broader political undertones of the gathering.
At the same meeting, party leaders in the state unanimously reaffirmed their support for a joint second-term ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was formally initiated by APC National Vice Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, whose motion received overwhelming approval from party loyalists through a voice vote.
“Let me also put the motion to a voice vote. Those in support of the joint ticket of Tinubu/Kashim should say ‘Aye’,” Dalori said, prompting a resounding chorus of support from attendees.
In his remarks, Zulum stressed that the Tinubu–Shettima ticket remains the most viable option for Nigeria’s future, urging party members to stay united and peaceful as political activities intensify.
“Power is something that God gives to whom he wishes. No matter how much you dislike a person, if God gives it to him, he will get it,” the governor stated.
He further called on stakeholders to remain committed to democratic principles and actively mobilise voters in support of the APC in the next election cycle.
In a moment that underscored the tone of reconciliation, Zulum directly engaged key figures present at the meeting—including his deputy, Umar Kadafur; Senator Mohammed Ndume; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and Dalori—asking whether he had served them and the people of Borno fairly over the past seven years.
According to reports, those addressed affirmed that the governor had acted justly and delivered on his responsibilities to the state.
Also speaking, Borno APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba, credited Zulum’s developmental projects with strengthening the party’s position in the state, noting that the administration’s performance has made it easier to attract new supporters.
He revealed that a growing number of defectors from other political parties were awaiting formal admission into the APC, suggesting increasing political momentum for the ruling party in Borno.
The meeting highlighted both internal consolidation within the APC and early political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with Zulum’s emotional appeal adding a personal dimension to the broader political narrative.
What you should know
Governor Zulum’s emotional appeal for forgiveness reflects a rare moment of vulnerability in Nigerian politics, coming at a time when political alignments for 2027 are already taking shape.
The endorsement of the Tinubu–Shettima ticket by APC stakeholders in Borno underscores early consolidation within the ruling party, particularly in the North-East. The meeting also signals growing confidence within the APC at the state level, with reports of incoming defections.
Beyond the politics, Zulum’s remarks highlight themes of accountability, unity, and reconciliation as key factors that may influence both governance and campaign dynamics moving forward.
