Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Sunday defied a downpour to kick off the mobilisation of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The Governor, who returned the same day from a strategic trip to the United States and Canada, immediately hit the ground running, leading a massive rally in Maiduguri where party faithful and residents demonstrated their loyalty to the ruling party.

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Government House, Governor Zulum underscored the critical importance of continuity in governance. He reminded the gathering of the significant security gains achieved in the state and the wider North-East region, attributing the relative peace and stability to the collaborative efforts of the state government and the Federal Government.

The Governor added that support from the Federal Government has been instrumental in the state’s recovery efforts, citing infrastructure rehabilitation and the resettlement of displaced persons.

He argued that returning the APC to power at both the state and federal levels was the only way to sustain these gains and prevent a regression into the dark days of insecurity.

“In the first four years of our administration, we worked hard to ensure the security of the lives of our people, and with the help of Almighty Allah, relative peace was attained, Zulum stressed.

He added, “Let us understand that the peace we are enjoying today is a result of our collective resilience and the federal government’s support.”

Zulum also urged party members, community leaders, and residents to mobilise support for every APC candidate, starting from the President to the candidates contesting for seats in the State House of Assembly.

“Let us support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Our Gubernatorial candidate, Mustapha Gubio, and let us support all our National and State Assembly candidates,” Zulum stated, emphasising the need for a cohesive legislative arm that would work in harmony with the executive to deliver dividends of democracy to the grassroots.