Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum says he anointed his immediate past Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, as the governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Illiya, said in a statement on Wednesday that Zulum only “anointed” Gubio during a political engagement in Abuja.
The statement entitled, “Zulum anoints, not endorses Gubio as his successor,” explained that the Governor’s action was part of a routine political tradition.
The statement read in part, “Receiving contestants is a routine tradition of responsible leaders to bless and offer prayers for success in democratic dispensation.”
It added that Governor Zulum, as APC leader in the state, also received other aspirants, including those contesting for Borno North Senatorial and House of Representatives seats, who similarly presented their nomination forms.
According to the statement, “Governor Zulum… not only received Engr. Gubio, who has indicated interest in vying for the governorship seat and was the first to obtain the nomination and expression of interest forms, but also received contestants for Borno North Senatorial seat, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and House of Representatives member for Monguno/Nganzai/Marte Federal Constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba, among others.”
It maintained that Zulum remains “a committed democrat who believes in inclusivity,” adding that the governor had earlier informed stakeholders at a meeting on April 25 at the Government House that another session would be convened to formally present the party’s candidates.
But Lawan Cheri, a lecturer of Political science at the Federal University, Gashua, said endorsement and anointment are not exactly the same even though they often overlap.
“An endorsement is a public declaration of support. It is usually based on a rational or strategic calculation, alignment of values, policy agreement, or party loyalty.
“While anointment has the influence of the anointer’s deep personal feelings, implying that the aspirant so anointed was chosen by a higher power, a singular supreme leader.”
