Borno deputy speaker steps down for Ndume in Southern Senatorial race

Abdullahi Musa Askira, deputy speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, has announced his withdrawal from the race for the Southern Borno Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election, pledging full support for Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and the party.
Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday in Maiduguri, Abdullahi Askira said he had received widespread calls from stakeholders across the nine local government areas of Southern Borno urging him to contest.

Abdullahi Askira stated that he was deeply humbled by the trust reposed in him, adding that he did not take such encouragement for granted.

He, however, explained that after extensive consultations and careful reflection, including a meeting with Governor Babagana Zulum, he resolved to step aside in the overall interest of the All Progressives Congress, Southern Borno, and the state at large.

He said: “After wide consultations and deep reflection, I have decided to formally withdraw from the race in the best interest of our great party, the southern Borno zone, and Borno state at large.

“In that spirit, I wholeheartedly endorse and pledge my total support for my brother, Senator Muhammad Ali Ndume to continue representing Southern Borno in the Senate.”

Speaking on his future aspirations, the lawmaker said he did not intend to contest any election in the state, adding that it was time for others to assume leadership.
“I have been in the State House of Assembly for 20 years now. I was a Deputy Speaker for the past 7 years. The assembly is not personal property. The place and my constituents have been very fair to me. Anywhere you serve for such a period, you should allow others to continue,” he said.

He, however, called on his supporters to join hands deliver candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election.

“I wish to appeal to my supporters to work together to ensure victory for the APC in all elections in 2027. I firmly believe that power belongs to Almighty Allah alone; he bestows it on whom he wills at the time he wills,” he noted.