Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has said he would not accept the offer to be the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general election.
Zulum said although a chance to become Nigeria’s Vice President could benefit his profile as an individual, being reelected as governor of Borno State has more benefit to the people of the state.
The governor, who disclosed that he has been receiving offers to be the APC vice-presidential candidate, said he was more concerned about the security challenges bedevilling Borno State.
He stressed that working with others to hastily rebuild the state was the most urgent need, saying it was beyond any aspiration.
He made this known in his acceptance speech, following his emergence as the APC governorship candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Borno State.
Zulum was elected unopposed in the governorship primary election held at the El-Kanemi Sports Centre in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Thursday.
Governor Zulum said: “Let me reveal with apologies, that some close associates of key presidential aspirants have sent me offers for the position of running mate, as possible Vice President, depending on the outcome of the APC presidential primaries by the weekend.
“I have thought deeply about these offers because becoming Vice President is considered attractive. I have thought about all the powers and privileges of being VP.
“I can see the honour of presiding over meetings attended by Governors and Ministers, and the privilege of having a Presidential Jet at one’s disposal. I can see the honour of presidential receptions within and outside Nigeria.
“However, I have asked myself, that should I get the opportunity to become VP and raise my political profile, what happens to all our ongoing works for the people of Borno State?
“We have built more than 10,000 houses, and currently more of such and reconstructing existing ones, for ongoing resettlement of our people. We have resettled more than 20 communities so far.
“Yet, thousands of our fellow citizens are still homeless and in desperate need of food, water, and healthcare. We have adopted a development plan that we are already implementing.
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“I have asked myself, what happens to all these plans that I am central to, which are helping to fast track our recovery in Borno State?
“Ladies and gentlemen, the killings in Kala-Balge at the weekend made me more critical, and the incident seriously reminded me of the challenges that are still ahead of us in Borno State.
“I came to the conclusion that while a chance to become Vice President could benefit my profile as an individual, becoming reelected as Governor of Borno State has the potential of more assurance of benefit to the good people of Borno State.
“I, therefore, say that while I thank those who may be considering me for the position of VP, I prefer to stay back and work drastically for the people of Borno State because for me as a citizen of Borno State, working with others to hastily rebuild Borno State is the most urgent need and it is beyond any aspiration,” the governor stated.
Zulum, however, expressed his appreciation to party leadership, saying: “I am grateful to all serving and former public office holders who constitute our stakeholders.”
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