New Scheme Emerges to Oust Ndume from Southern Borno Senate Seat

The Southern Borno senatorial race is intensifying as various political groups and stakeholders vie for control, with incumbent senator Mohammed Ali Ndume facing potential challenges to his position in the 2027 general elections.

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Tensions rose on Wednesday as the Voice of Savannah Community Association, led by Comrade Ibrahim Ezekiel Mamza, rejected attempts to impose leadership on Southern Borno by individuals who opposed the creation of Savannah State, specifically targeting self-acclaimed stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress.

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The group issued a statement in Maiduguri, warning Sule Gambo, Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa, and Tafu Malla over their endorsement of Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira for the 2027 senatorial contest, which it termed a “laughable endorsement”.

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

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Despite opposition, indications of shifting political alliances have emerged, with some stakeholders reportedly urging Askira to challenge Ndume in the forthcoming election, signaling potential cracks in Ndume's dominance.

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Mamza 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 Askira, who hails from Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

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He called on Askira and his supporters to tender a public apology over their stance on Savannah State, stressing that the issue remains sensitive among the people, and also questioned Askira’s developmental record, claiming there are no visible projects attributed to his tenure in the State Assembly.

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The VSCA challenged Askira to present verifiable achievements, while raising concerns over insecurity in the area, citing a lack of strong legislative advocacy to address insurgency-related challenges, and dismissed claims that the senatorial seat is the exclusive preserve of any locality.

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The group noted 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, and maintained that the process has always been democratic.

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

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In a related development, the Voice of Displaced Communities of Southern Borno, 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.

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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, and asked “where was Hon. Askira when our communities were under siege, what concrete steps did he take to support his people?”

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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, reflecting a growing call for a “paradigm shift” in representation.

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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, but lamented that the arrangement had not been sustained.

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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, indicating a growing mobilization against Ndume.

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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, as various stakeholders and groups vie for control of the senatorial seat.