By Our Correspondent
National News – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced Babagana Buhari as its governorship candidate for Borno State after a direct primary election held across 27 local government areas on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Nigeria.
The Returning Officer, Adamu Mustapha, declared Buhari winner after he polled 71,867 votes out of 85,567 accredited voters from 102,900 registered voters.
Mustapha said valid votes stood at 74,933 while invalid votes were recorded during the exercise which determined the party’s flagbearer ahead of the governorship election.
Buhari defeated two other aspirants Sanusi Kashim Ibrahim who scored 1,033 votes and Attom Muhammad Magira who garnered 4,033 votes.
The primary election conducted across all 27 LGAs of Borno State was designed to ensure internal democracy and transparent selection of candidates.
The process according to the party reflected strong voter participation and party unity.
Speaking shortly after the announcement ADC officials in Borno said the party is confident of victory in the forthcoming elections citing consensus arrangements for senatorial candidates in Borno Central South and North districts.
The party also emphasized its readiness to challenge other political parties in the state.
The result highlights the ADC’s growing political influence in Borno State with stakeholders describing the exercise as peaceful credible and well organized.
Buhari’s emergence is expected to shape the party’s strategy ahead of the general election.
The election process underscores internal democracy within the ADC as political observers noted improved participation and organization across polling units in the state.
This development is expected to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria especially in the North-East geopolitical zone where Borno remains a key battleground state.
Party leaders said Buhari’s candidacy will focus on security infrastructure and youth empowerment while appealing to voters across all local government areas to support ADC in the forthcoming governorship election in Borno State.
Observers say the outcome may influence future coalition negotiations within opposition parties in the state ahead of 2027 polls.
