Governor says Gubio’s emergence was not driven by political manoeuvring

Borno State Governor, , has praised President and Vice President following the emergence of Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the governorship candidate of the for the 2027 general elections in Borno State.

Speaking shortly after Thursday’s affirmation ceremony in Maiduguri, Zulum said Gubio’s emergence was “the will of Almighty Allah” and not the result of political manoeuvring, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Abdulrahman Bundi.

“What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, gives power to whom He wills,” the governor said.

“I want to convey my deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed my boss, Senator Kashim Shettima, for all the support they have rendered to us that ensured the consensus leading to the emergence of Alhaji Mustapha Gubio.”

Zulum also commended Tinubu and Shettima for providing what he described as an enabling environment for a peaceful and rancour-free primary process in the state, adding that their commitment to internal democracy had strengthened party cohesion in Borno.

Before Thursday’s affirmation, Gubio had emerged as the APC consensus candidate after consultations among key party stakeholders.

The affirmation ceremony was conducted at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri and presided over by Chief Emma Eneukwu, chairman of the party’s primary election committee.

Shettima urges party unity

Addressing party members at the event, Vice President Shettima called for unity among APC faithful, especially aspirants and supporters who lost out during the delegates’ selection process.

“I want to commend the good people of Borno for the orderly conduct of all our elections. There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest,” Shettima said.

“I wish to implore all those who might have lost out in the contest to represent our different constituencies to please let us sheath our swords for the good of our people.”

Among dignitaries present at the event were former Borno State Governor and Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan.

Other party stakeholders in attendance included APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori, APC State Chairman Bello Ayuba, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Gubio pledges to build on Zulum’s achievements

In his acceptance speech, Engr. pledged to consolidate on the achievements of the Zulum administration, with a focus on education, agriculture, reconstruction, security and human empowerment.

Gubio expressed gratitude to Tinubu, Shettima and Zulum for their support and leadership.

“I am particularly grateful to my mentor and benefactor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his unwavering support, mentorship, confidence and encouragement throughout my journey in public service,” he said.

He said his administration, if elected, would intensify efforts to address insecurity, expand resettlement programmes for displaced persons and accelerate the reconstruction of communities affected by insurgency.

“We will continue to invest heavily in education and vocational training to reduce further the number of out-of-school children, combat illiteracy, particularly in rural communities, and equip our youth with skills for self-reliance and productivity,” Gubio said.

The APC candidate also promised to strengthen healthcare delivery, expand empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and political thuggery.

He added that his administration would prioritise renewable energy projects, potable water supply, year-round agricultural development and youth-focused sports and recreational initiatives.

By Joyce Remi Babayeju

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has condemned the increasing use of beggars and destitute individuals as illicit drug couriers in Abuja.

Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji, made this known during the ongoing Operation Sweep enforcement exercise aimed at removing beggars, scavengers, and destitute individuals off the streets of the capital city.

Olumuji disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that criminal elements engage physically challenged people and street beggars as noctural couriers for illicit substances.

“The sad thing is that, as vulnerable as they have become, they have also become a useful tool in the hands of criminal elements.”

“From intelligence we have gathered over time, they use them to courier illicit drugs, especially in the nighttime. Who will suspect that a physically challenged person could courier illicit drugs? But they use them to do that,” he said.

Furthermore, Olumiji revealed that some individuals also serve as informants for criminal gangs operating within the FCT, thereby posing additional security threats to residents.

Enforcement personnel have encountered resistance during some operations, with suspects allegedly attacking officials using walking canes and other mobility aids, he noted.

However, FCTA has intensified efforts to sanitize the city and address growing public concern over street begging and insecurity.

Head of FCT Enforcement, Ulkacha Adebayo, also disclosed that 54 persons, comprising 45 adults and nine children, were evacuated during Monday’s operation.

The administration had removed a total of 889 destitute individuals from various parts of Abuja within the last three months, she added.

“In the past three months, we were able to evacuate about 835 of them. So, if we add it to the number we have now, it’s about 889,” she said.

Adebayo explained that those evacuated were being profiled and taken to government rehabilitation centres for welfare support and vocational training.

According to her the exercise was part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to maintain orderliness and improve security across the capital city.

The operation has covered areas including Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse and Gwarinpa, and officials have said that under the directive of the FCT minister the exercise would continueu on a sustained basis.

The National Industrial Court in Kaduna has hit St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital and the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna with a landmark ruling, ordering them to pay three staff members all salary arrears owed since 2020.

Presiding Judge Bashar Alkali declared that Mr. Sunday John, Ms. Margaret Eleoba, and Mr. Ishaku remain valid employees of the hospital, noting that their indefinite suspension without pay was unlawful. The court ruled the hospital must continue paying their monthly salaries until any lawful termination is processed.

The employees had been suspended in August 2020 without formal queries or explanations, despite being ready to resume work. The suspension left them unpaid for over four years, causing severe financial hardship.

The hospital had argued the staff were under investigation for alleged misconduct and thus not entitled to pay. But the court found this violated the hospital’s own Staff Handbook, which allows only temporary suspension.

Justice Alkali emphasized that suspension is not a termination and that employees are entitled to benefits unless officially dismissed. He ruled the prolonged suspension was a clear breach of contract and unfair labour practice.

The court awarded:

• Mr. Sunday John: N6.8 million
• Ms. Margaret Eleoba: N8.2 million
• Mr. Ishaku: N3.7 million
• Legal costs: N1 million

The hospital must settle all payments within 30 days.