The political landscape of Borno State is heating up as new aspirants emerge from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), all eyeing the coveted governorship seat in 2027.
With Governor Babagana Zulum’s second and final term winding down, speculation and behind-the-scenes lobbying are intensifying across party lines.
Although the APC has maintained an unbroken grip on the state since 1999, evolving from the All Peoples Party (APP) to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and now APC, fresh contenders and returning political heavyweights are already positioning themselves for the next election cycle.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, currently serving as the Senate Chief Whip, is one of the contenders. He is considered a party loyalist with deep roots in Borno’s political establishment.
A lawyer by training, he served as a state commissioner and represented Marte/Monguno/Ngazai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2023 before his elevation to the Senate.
APC insiders believe he may emerge as a consensus candidate among old party stalwarts.
Also in the race is Matawalle Kashim Imam, a former two-time governorship candidate under the PDP, Imam is now a staunch APC supporter and close ally of President Bola Tinubu.
Known for his significant financial support to the APC in Borno and Yobe States, sources say his reentry into the race could gain momentum with backing from traditional rulers and elder statesmen in Borno.
Also interested is Senator Abubakar Kyari, who is currently the Minister of Agriculture. Kyari is a longtime political associate of Vice President Kashim Shettima. He contested the APC governorship primaries in 2019 but stepped aside.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Commissioner for Justice is also said to be interested. Ka’Shehu was once seen as Shettima’s likely successor in 2019. Though sidelined then, he has remained active in politics and now chairs the Senate Committee on Special Duties.
He is widely respected for his fearless leadership and was instrumental in the organization of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) during the insurgency.
Also mentioned is Alhaji Idrissa Mamman Durkwa, a finance and account expert who contested the APC governorship primaries in 2019 but decamped to PDP following what he described as a manipulated process.
He is now said to be in talks with younger, reform-minded politicians from both APC and PDP to form a coalition. However, internal crises within the PDP could hinder his path to a serious challenge.
