Borno Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira Withdraws from Senate Race, Backs Ndume

*TL;DR: Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira has withdrawn from the Southern Borno senatorial race and formally endorsed incumbent Senator Muhammadu Ali Ndume, urging his supporters to unite behind the incumbent for the 2027 elections.

Context Abdullahi Askira, deputy speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly since 2023 and a legislator for Askira constituency since 2007, announced his decision at a press briefing in Maiduguri. The announcement came after a series of internal party consultations and a meeting with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

Key Facts - Askira told reporters that, after “wide consultations and deep reflection” and a recent meeting with Governor Zulum, he decided to withdraw from the senatorial contest for the nine‑local‑government‑area Southern Borno zone. He framed the move as being in the best interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, the Southern Borno zone, and Borno State overall. - In the same statement, Askira pledged his full support to Senator Muhammadu Ali Ndume, the incumbent representing Southern Borno in the Senate. He said he “wholeheartedly endorse[s]” Ndume’s bid to continue in the upper chamber. - Askira appealed directly to his supporters across the nine local government areas, asking them to accept his decision, close ranks, and back Ndume without hesitation. He emphasized the need for a united front to secure APC victories in all 2027 elections.

What It Means Askira’s withdrawal clears a potential intra‑party contest, consolidating APC support behind Ndume ahead of the 2027 general elections. By aligning with the incumbent, Askira may be positioning himself for future political leverage within the party hierarchy. The move also signals a strategic effort by the state leadership to avoid vote splitting in Southern Borno, a region critical for the APC’s national ambitions. Observers will watch how Ndume’s campaign incorporates Askira’s network and whether the unified front translates into broader electoral gains for the party in the upcoming cycle.

Looking Ahead The next weeks will reveal how Ndume’s campaign integrates Askira’s supporters and whether the APC can maintain cohesion across Borno’s nine local governments as the 2027 election calendar fills out.