Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the competition for the Southern Borno senatorial seat has heated up, with stakeholders and political parties at odds over plans to unseat current lawmaker Ali Ndume.
According to Naija News, disagreements over succession plans inside the district caused emotions to increase on Wednesday.
Under the leadership of Comrade Ibrahim Ezekiel Mamza, the Voice of Savannah Community Association denounced what it called attempts to impose leadership on Southern Borno.
The group denounced several All Progressives Congress members in a statement released in Maiduguri for what it called a “laughable endorsement” of Abdullahi Askira, the deputy speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly.
Sule Gambo, Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa, and Tafu Malla were among those the organization cautioned against supporting the congressman in the 2027 Senate race.
The group was concerned that Askira, whose it said opposed the establishment of Savannah State, was now attempting to represent the zone in the Senate.
It stated that the agitation for Savannah State is still a major concern for the people and characterized the desire as unacceptable.
Mamza called on Askira and his followers to publicly apologize for their purported position on the issue.
There are signs that certain stakeholders are pushing Askira to run against Ndume in the upcoming election, despite the group’s resistance.
Mamza maintained, however, that voters in the district’s 101 wards, nine local government regions, and more than 1,700 polling places are still unhappy with the endorsement.
Askira’s record in office was also questioned by the association, which asserted that there were no obvious projects associated with his time in the State Assembly.
Alleging insufficient legislative attempts to address insurgent difficulties, it further raised concerns about instability in the region.
The organization emphasized that representation has traditionally been decided through open contests, rejecting assertions that the senate seat belonged to any specific community, including Gwoza.
As proof of the district’s competitive elections, it listed former candidates such Satumari Haske, Mala Gadzama, and Ishaku Shara.
A group supports Ndume’s reelection
The association reiterated its endorsement of the sitting senator, characterizing Ndume as a fearless politician dedicated to protecting Southern Borno’s interests.
It stated that his dismissal as the 10th Senate’s Chief Whip demonstrated his courage to challenge authority.
It will be our duty in 2027. The organization declared, “We support Ndume’s continued representation of Southern Borno at the National Assembly.
