Why Borno South may replace Ndume

As rotation demands grow, a new contender, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, channels grassroots frustration into the 2027 challenge against the Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume. Correspondent JOEL DUKU reports from Maiduguri.

The political landscape of Borno South Senatorial District is witnessing a seismic shift. For nearly three decades, Mohammed Ali Ndume has dominated the National Assembly contest. From the House of Representatives to four terms in the Senate, Ndume has become a fixture of Nigerian legislative politics, often vocal and frequently controversial.

However, as the 2027 general election approaches, a formidable movement is gathering momentum. It seeks to trade Ndume’s “confrontational advocacy” for the more balanced, result-oriented leadership of the current Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira.

The Ndume legacy

Senator Ndume is undoubtedly a veteran who understands the labyrinth of the National Assembly. His experience has often brought national attention to the Northeast insurgency. Yet, a growing consensus among stakeholders suggests that “noise” does not always equate to “progress.”

In recent years, Ndume’s style has been defined by friction. Public spats with the party leadership and frequent removals from principal positions have often sidelined Borno South from high-level negotiations over the sharing of development resources. Critics argue that while Ndume makes headlines, the district loses out on the strategic lobbying required for infrastructure and economic recovery. The sentiment is shifting: the people no longer want a “warrior”; they want a “builder.”

The “Gwoza monopoly”

The most potent driver of the “Replace Ndume” movement is the feeling of geopolitical marginalisation. Borno South is a diverse mosaic of nine local government areas: Biu, Shani, Bayo, Kwaya-Kusar, Hawul, Askira/Uba, Chibok, Damboa, and Gwoza.

The data reveal a lopsided picture. Since the return to democracy, Gwoza has held a virtual monopoly on the senatorial seat. From Senator Abubakar Mahdi (1999–2003) to the late Senator Omar Hambagda (2003–2011) and Senator Ndume (2011–present), Gwoza has occupied the seat for over 23 consecutive years. This dominance has revived calls for an earlier agreed “rotational justice,” with many arguing that 2027 represents the moment to end this monopoly and allow for a more inclusive Borno South.

The grassroots verdict

The debate over performance has been particularly heated on social media. While critics label Askira an “agent of a cabal,” whose performance cannot be compared with what Senator Ndume has achieved, his supporters point to tangible results at the local level. Leading this defence is Mwada Saidiu Uba, the Executive Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government, who insists that the Deputy Speaker’s impact is undeniable.

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“If Senator Ndume has done anything worth mentioning in the last 12 years, we wouldn’t be here calling for his replacement,” Uba said. “But I can assure you that Abdullahi Askira has done a lot by using his strong connections with the state government and his influence as Deputy Speaker to attract, lobby for, and ensure the delivery of many projects to Askira-Uba Local Government over the last seven years.”

Expanding on the specific dividends of Askira’s leadership, the chairman provided a breakdown of projects:

“Yes, by the grace of God, when you look at the landscape of Askira-Uba today, you see the direct impact of the Deputy Speaker’s dedication to our people. Abdullahi Askira has been a true partner in progress. He has facilitated the transformation of Askira town through strategic road and drainage projects, the construction of a new Government Lodge, and the rehabilitation of the old one.

“His commitment to the people is evident in the 40-bed capacity health centres he lobbied the state government to establish in Ngulde, Chanchandana, Wamdeo, and Uda. In Uba, we now have a multi-billion-naira ultra-modern hospital under construction, which will be a game-changer for healthcare in the region.

“His vision for education is equally notable. Through his influence, he secured the commitment of the state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for the construction of a 36-classroom mega school in Uvu, 24 classrooms with modern laboratories in Rumirgo—where he also ensured the school was secured with four kilometres of fencing—as well as additional 12-classroom blocks in Sabon Gari and Husara. He is also pushing our youth into the future with an ICT institute provided by the state government in Askira.

“Beyond infrastructure, he has supported traditional institutions by facilitating the construction of the new Emir of Uba’s palace, along with connecting roads and drainage. From the 300 housing units in Rumirgo and 100 in Askira, to motorised boreholes spread across the local government and critical erosion control in Lassa, the Deputy Speaker has shown that effective leadership is about partnership and delivering tangible results across communities.”

 An evolution toward progress

“The call for Abdullahi Askira to replace Mohammed Ali Ndume is not an act of disrespect toward a veteran; it is an act of evolution,” said Lawan Babagana, a social media commentator.

“The politics of 2027 will not be won by who can shout the loudest on the Senate floor, but by who can bring the most ‘dividends of democracy’ back home.”

While Senator Ndume deserves credit for his decades of service, his confrontational style is increasingly seen as out of sync with a region seeking recovery and equity. For many in the senatorial district, Abdullahi Askira represents a pathway to more balanced, inclusive, and technically driven representation.

A Southern Borno youth influencer, Danladi Hamis, argued in a Facebook post that Senator Ndume has become “an option that is no longer needed” after more than two decades in office. Hamis pointed to a disconnect between the veteran lawmaker and his constituents, citing a lack of tangible achievements in security, human capital development, and community empowerment. He also criticised the senator’s reliance on incumbency and what he sees as a reluctance to be held accountable, noting that the district is growing weary of “experience” without measurable results.

As both Ndume and Askira remain publicly silent, the debate has shifted to the court of public opinion. The contest is increasingly being shaped by supporters and surrogates, even as the principals hold back.

In politics, moments of change often build quietly before they become impossible to ignore. In Borno South, that moment appears to be drawing closer.