Southern Borno Senatorial Race: Plot to replace Ndume surfaces

The Southern Borno senatorial race for the 2027 general elections is heating up amid emerging plots to replace incumbent lawmaker, Mohammed Ali Ndume, as political groups and stakeholders across the district clash over succession plans and representation.

Tensions escalated on Wednesday when the Voice of Savannah Community Association (VSCA), led by Comrade Ibrahim Ezekiel Mamza, rejected what it described as attempts to impose leadership on Southern Borno by individuals who had previously opposed the creation of Savannah State.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the group warned self-acclaimed stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Sule Gambo, Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa, and Tafu Malla, over what it termed a “laughable endorsement” of the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, for the 2027 senatorial contest.

The association expressed concern that Askira, who it alleged opposed the creation of Savannah State, is now seeking to represent Southern Borno in the Senate—an ambition it described as unacceptable to the people of the zone who have agitated for the state’s creation for decades.

Despite the opposition, indications of shifting political alliances have surfaced, with some stakeholders reportedly urging Askira to challenge Ndume in the forthcoming election.

Mamza, however, insisted that constituents across the district’s 101 wards, over 1,700 polling units, and nine local government areas remain dissatisfied with the endorsement, demanding accountability from those backing the Deputy Speaker, who hails from Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

He also called on Askira and his supporters to tender a public apology over their stance on Savannah State, stressing that the issue remains a sensitive one among the people.

The VSCA further questioned Askira’s developmental record, claiming there are no visible projects attributed to his tenure in the State Assembly. It challenged him to present verifiable achievements, while also raising concerns over insecurity in the area, citing a lack of strong legislative advocacy to address insurgency-related challenges.

The group also dismissed claims that the senatorial seat is the exclusive preserve of any locality, including Gwoza, noting that representation has historically been determined through competitive elections involving candidates from across the district.

Citing past aspirants such as Satumari Haske, Mala Gadzama, and Ishaku Shara, the association maintained that the process has always been democratic.

Reaffirming its support for Ndume, the group described the senator as a courageous representative committed to speaking truth to power, noting that his removal as Chief Whip of the 10th Senate underscored his advocacy for constituents.

“Come 2027, it is our responsibility. Our vote is for Ndume to continue speaking and standing for Southern Borno at the National Assembly,” the group stated.

In a related development, the Voice of Displaced Communities of Southern Borno (VDCSB), led by Dr. Bashir Habu, questioned Askira’s role during the Boko Haram insurgency in Askira/Uba, demanding accountability over what it described as a lack of visible intervention during the crisis.

The group queried the Deputy Speaker’s response at a time when communities faced mass displacement, loss of lives, and destruction of property, insisting that leadership should be measured by actions taken during periods of crisis.

“Where was Hon. Askira when our communities were under siege? What concrete steps did he take to support his people?” the group asked, urging him to provide evidence of legislative motions or interventions addressing the insurgency.

Meanwhile, efforts to replace Ndume appear to have gained traction following a series of consultative meetings held in Biu, Gwoza, and Shani, involving political office holders, party elders, and youth leaders from the nine local government areas in the district.

Sources said the consultations reflect a growing call for a “paradigm shift” in representation.

Speaking, Sule Gambo argued that the demand for rotation is rooted in historical precedent, recalling how leaders from Askira/Uba once supported the emergence of Senator Abubakar Mahdi from Gwoza in the spirit of fairness.

He, however, lamented that the arrangement had not been sustained, alleging that the senatorial seat has remained in Gwoza for nearly two decades without rotation to other areas such as Chibok, Damboa, and Askira/Uba.

Also lending her voice, Tafu Malla praised Askira’s track record, citing his support for job creation and agriculture, while Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa emphasized the need for power rotation after what she described as a prolonged hold on the seat by a single locality.

Although Ndume remains a formidable political figure in Southern Borno, the growing mobilization against him signals potential cracks in his dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.