By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The Borno State Supervisory Councillors’ Forum has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to continue in office beyond 2027, saying the decision aligns with the Borno State 25-Year Development Plan and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s 10-Year Transformation Agenda.
Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Maiduguri on Friday, the Chairman of the Forum, Kelli Kashau, said the endorsement followed the Forum’s review of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s achievements across Borno State and the alignment of his programmes with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at promoting good governance, economic recovery and sustainable development across the country.
He said Governor Zulum rebuilt communities destroyed by insurgency and restored civil authority in several local government areas.
The governor, according to him, facilitated the safe return of thousands of internally displaced persons and commissioned new houses in Baga, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Malam-Fatori, Damasak, Boso in Niger Republic, Banki, Kirawa and Gwoza.
He noted that the administration invested heavily in education through the construction of mega secondary schools and a 60-classroom Islamic college in Biu, Monguno and Nganzai.
He added that the government recruited over 4,000 teachers and built 72 two-bedroom houses for teachers in Mafa to enhance welfare and motivation.
Kashau said the Forum was impressed with the progress in the health sector, citing the establishment of Eye and Dental hospitals in Biu and Monguno, as well as Colleges of Nursing in Monguno and Gwoza.
He described the ongoing Borno State University Teaching Hospital project as a landmark development expected to rank among the best in Nigeria when completed.
He also commended Governor Zulum’s commitment to agriculture and food security, noting that the administration distributed thousands of tonnes of farm inputs to farmers, revived irrigation projects such as the Biu Dam, and distributed free fertiliser to boost productivity.
Kashau said the Forum was satisfied with the performance of President Tinubu’s administration, observing that the Renewed Hope Agenda was beginning to yield results. He commended the President for appointing Vice President Shettima, whom he described as a loyal, capable and dependable leader who had contributed greatly to national progress.
“We have unanimously endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election,” Kashau said. “We urge President Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate to ensure continuity and sustain the gains being recorded under this administration.”
He said the Forum’s decision reflected the voice of grassroots leaders across the 27 local government areas of Borno State who had witnessed firsthand the progress recorded under Governor Zulum and the ongoing national reforms driven by the Tinubu government.