Next Year: Borno's Deputy Speaker Withdraws from Senate Bid, Throws Weight Behind Ndume

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By Ndahi Marama

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Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, has withdrawn from the senatorial contest of the 9-LGAs Southern Borno zone, declaring his support for the incumbent Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

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Askira has been a member of the Borno Assembly representing Askira since 2007, and Deputy Speaker of the House since 2023.

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Briefing journalists on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre in Maiduguri, Askira who was flanked by some members of House of Assembly, stakeholders and party faithful, said: “After wide consultations and deep reflection, and particularly following my recent meeting with the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, I have taken the decision to formally withdraw from the race in the best I interest of our great party, the Southern Borno Zone, and Borno State at large,” he told newsmen in Maiduguri, Thursday.”

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

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Askira urged all his supporters across the nine local government areas of the zone to accept his decision in good faith, close ranks and extend their unflinching support for Senator Ndume.

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He appealed to his supporters to work together to ensure victory for the APC in all elections in 2027.

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