….. conducts governorship primaries
By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
The African Democratic Congress has affirmed its three consensus candidates for the Borno South, North and Central Senatorial seats in the forthcoming general elections.
According to the party, Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa emerged as Candidate for Borno South Bulama Fugu Ibrahim (Borno North), while Babagana Zanna is for Borno Central Senatorial ticket.
This is as the Opposition party has on Saturday conducted its gubernatorial primaries between three gubernatorial aspirants, and other positions (House of Representatives and House of Assembly) following inability to reach consensus, in which, collation of results are still ongoing at press time.
The gubernatorial aspirants are Alhaji Attom Muhammad Magira, Babagana Mamman Buhari and Rear Admiral Sanusi Kashim Ibrahim (Rtd).
The primaries and affirmation of candidates which were conducted simultaneously across the 27 local government areas of Borno were monitored and supervised by the 7- member electoral committee and 3- member Appeals Committee.
The Chairman of the State Electoral Committee, was chaired by Mai Adamu Mustapha, while the
Secretary was Luka Tokwang Wakili.
Likewise, the 3-member Appeal committee was to be chaired by Barr. Mohammed Sale Dukas, with the Secretary, Ka Malum.
Durkwa, a former Federal Permanent Secretary and ex- member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had battled Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume in last APC Primary elections, precisely towards the build up to the 2023 general elections, but failed to secure the ticket.
Durkwa later defected from the party and now a prominent leader of the coalition ADC in Southern Borno.
In his acceptance Speech at the formal Declaration and Affirmation held on Saturday 23rd May, 2026 in Biu local government area, which were keenly supervised by the 7-member electoral committee in the presence of Electoral Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the Nine local government areas of the constituency, Durkwa expressed optimism that “he will defeat his opponents, including the incumbent, Senator Ndume in the forthcoming 2027 polls”.
His words: “I stand before you this Day with great honour to formally accept my unanimous endorsement as the Senatorial candidate of our great party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections in Borno South.
“Firstly, I am indebted to Almighty Allah (God) for giving us the opportunity to witness this historic event.
“I wish to sincerely extend my deepest appreciation to all stakeholders and our teaming supporters, too numerous to mention for your exemplary leadership, unwavering support, and commitment to the advancement, unity and development of our great party.
“Recalled precisely that most of us were here at Biu Summit Hotels about three weeks ago, in which, collectively you offers an invaluable support with one voice and endorsed me as consensus candidate.
“The gathering on that Day was not only endorsement, but also themed: ‘Repositioning ADC for Unity, Growth, and Electoral Success in Southern Borno Senatorial District’.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming support and solidarity demonstrated by the leadership of our party at all levels, traditional and religious leaders, elders, stakeholders, party supporters, youth and women groups, and indeed the entire people of Southern Borno for the confidence reposed in me to contest as Senator on the platform of our great party in the forthcoming 2027 polls.
” I thank each and everyone for finding me worthy to contest in order to change the bad narratives if given the mandate.
“This affirmation is a reflection of the trust and confidence the teaming ADC Stakeholders/members of Southern Borno have continued to place in our collective vision to ensure progress, inclusion and development.
“Let me reiterate that I am deeply humbled by the massive turnout of people across all wards from our blessed constituency, “Durkwa said.
Continuing he said: “This is not just about one individual; it is about our people coming together in unity to deepen democracy and build a stronger and more prosperous Borno South through good representation.
“It is no longer news that our people have suffered severe neglect orchestrated by poor representation at the National Assembly, which have caused Southern Borno to continue suffer lack of good roads and network connectivity, potable drinking water and other basic social infrastructures.
“Our zone which was recognized as a safer area even during the peak of the insurgency, has now turned into a battlefield due to poor representation.
“Our innocent people, especially the resilient ones in Chibok, Gwoza, Damboa, Askira-Uba, Hawul and even Biu now leaves in fear and despair due to nonconfrontational killings, abductions, and destruction of hard- earned property by the citizenry. This is unacceptable, and when elected as your Senator, we shall work closely with the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our security agencies to do the needful.
“By the will of Allah, if given the mandate, collectively we shall operate an open-door policy, with inclusivity. We shall intensify efforts aims to address or nip in the bud the issue of insurgency and other forms of insecurity bedevilling our constituents.
“We shall also lobby the executives to invest heavily in education and vocational training to reduce further the number of out-of-school children, combat illiteracy—particularly in rural communities—and equip our youth/women with skills for self-reliance and productivity, as well as give more priority to agricultural empowerment to ensure food sufficiency/security.
“Additionally, with your support and prayers, we will continue to support healthcare sector initiatives that guarantee quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services for all our people irrespective of tribe, culture, ethnic or religious considerations.
“At this juncture, let me use this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you here today for finding time and resources to grace this historic event”. Durkwa explained.
He therefore implored all and sundry to be committed and dedicated in this journey, so as to ensure that ADC win all elective positions from top to bottom across the state.
Earlier in his address at week end, the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Kolo Bukar, said, the ADC under his leadership will continue to foster unity, adding that, the party would give a level playing ground for all aspirants who failed to reach a consensus to test their popularity at the primaries.
Also, addressing newsmen shortly after unveiling the senatorial and other candidates in Maiduguri, the Organising Secretary of the party in Borno, Muhammed Bolori, said the ADC is confident of electoral victory at all levels.
He said “We are gathered here today for the affirmation of our consensus candidates.
“For the senatorial position, there is no contest. All three consensus candidates have been affirmed. There is no opposition in that. We have reached a consensus,” He stressed
Bolori further added that in the state house of assembly, 25 candidates are unopposed.
“As you all see, we have almost 25 state houses of assembly, and seven houses of representatives. That is the unopposed consensus candidates.”
According to him, “the party has concluded all arrangements for the gubernatorial primaries slated on Saturday, May 23, we are having our gubernatorial primaries and House of Representatives, state house of assemblies, which includes Maiduguri, Konduga, and Jere among others.
“For the house of representatives primaries. There is a federal constituency of Jere, and we also have Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa, as well as Hawul/Askira Uba federal constituency”. Bolori said.
He, however assured that the party has primed itself as a solution to the challenges facing the Nigerian society.
“We have 100 percent confidence in winning the elections, and we are very sure that the masses are with us, knowing how the situation of the country is today and people are looking for a party that will come and salvage the situation. we are here for them”. He stated.
