The tension that enveloped the All Progressives Congress, APC in Borno State over the choice of the Deputy Governorship candidate has given way to wild jubilations following the unveiling of Umar Usman Kadafur as the choice.
Maiduguri the state capital, Biu, Hawul and adjourning areas erupted into jubilations celebrating Kadafur’s choice.
There was all night cultural drumming and dancing in some places, while residents of Biu, the home Local Government of Umar Kadafur defied the curfew in Biu, to celebrate the choice of their own as the running mate.
Kadafur who faced the incumbent deputy governor, Usman Mamman Durkwa polled eight out of the nine votes at stake, leaving Durkwa with only one vote.
The votes were cast by the nine party chairmen from southern Borno following the zoning of the deputy governorship position to the zone.
Kadafur proved bookmakers wrong by going ahead to win against the odds stacked against him by the incumbent deputy governor, who has been parading himself as the political leader of southern Borno.
A source from the meeting which produced Kadafur said that Durkwa lone vote came from the party chairman if his own Local Government of Hawul, while Kadafur won that of Biu, Damboa, Bayo, Chibok, Kwaya/Kusar, Shank, Gwoza and Askira /Uba.
It was learnt Usman Durkwa did everything possible before the final votes to get nominated, but party stakeholders stood against his choice citing certain scandalous outings, which had embarrassed the government.
Governor Kashim Shettima who had promised a level playing field in all contests has accepted the choice of Kadafur ahead of his own deputy, thereby fulfilling his earlier pledge.
Already, the names of Professor Bavagana Umara Zullum and Umar Usman Kadafur have been submitted to INEC, as the candidates on the APC platform in Borno state.