Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
Borno State Government has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum threatened opposition politicians during a recent media chat, saying the governor only spoke about protecting lives and tackling crime.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, said in a statement on Sunday that the ADC’s reaction was based on a misunderstanding of the governor’s comments and an inaccurate media report.
He described the party’s statement as “poorly thought out and a product of political desperation, which any keen observer would see it as ‘a case of self-indictment.'”
According to Iliya, Governor Zulum used the media chat in Maiduguri to address growing concerns over social vices and criminal activities that threaten peace and security in Borno State.
He explained that the governor warned against criminal behaviour involving youths who move around with shirts displaying knives and clubs, saying the government would not allow criminals to destabilise the state.
The spokesman said the governor did not mention the ADC, the #TinubuMustGo group or any opposition political party during the media engagement, adding that his comments were strictly about maintaining law and order.
He further stated that “Governor Zulum never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, ADC or any opposition group; he spoke only about security, peace, and order.”
Iliya argued that by linking the governor’s remarks to politics, the ADC had wrongly interpreted the message and had instead created what he called “a case of self-indictment.”
The statement recalled that Borno witnessed an increase in gangsterism, phone snatching, kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions and other criminal activities after years of Boko Haram insurgency, leading the state government to establish an Anti-Vices security outfit.
According to the government, the security outfit has helped reduce crime in Maiduguri and surrounding communities, making the state safer for residents and businesses.
The spokesman also accused some media organisations of taking the governor’s comments out of context to portray him as hostile to opposition voices, insisting that the administration remains focused on protecting the state’s hard-earned peace.
He stressed that “Prof. Zulum’s administration will not allow the state’s hard-earned peace to be truncated; for without order and stability, no party can campaign for any election.”
The government called on political parties to avoid politicising security matters and instead support efforts aimed at preserving peace and stability in Borno State, especially as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of future elections.
