The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has refuted claims that he ordered the arrest of “Tinubu Must Go” protesters within the state, stressing that his warnings were aimed specifically at criminals who threaten the peace and stability of the state.
The governor’s clarification came as a reply to a statement that was issued on Sunday by the African Democratic
Congress Presidential Campaign Council, which sought an explanation from Babagana Zulum regarding a viral video in which he is said to have ordered the arrest and detention of anyone caught voicing the slogan “Tinubu Must Go.”
The council described the reported directive as especially concerning, given that Zulum had recently denied ordering the arrest of individuals wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts in the state.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the campaign council stated that the governor ought to clarify the video’s contents and reconcile them with his earlier denial.
Responding to this, the governor’s spokesman, Dauda Iliya, in a statement on Sunday night, called the ADC allegations “unprofessional,” maintaining that the party had distorted the governor’s remarks.
The statement reads, “We read with dismay the recent statement by the Presidential Campaign Council of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), which made impulsive remarks about the administration of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.”
Illiya voiced his dissatisfaction with the ADC’s dependence on what he called an “unprofessionally written news report” that accused the governor of threatening to arrest opposition politicians.
“The party’s press release is poorly thought out and a product of political desperation, which any keen observer would see as a case of self-indictment.
“It was regrettable that the party relied on an unprofessionally written news report to accuse the governor of threatening opposition politicians with arrest,” he noted.
The Spokesman explained that Zulum made these comments during a media chat with journalists in Maiduguri, where he discussed various matters, among them a recent surge in social vices and crimes that pose a threat to the state’s peace and stability.
“As any responsible chief executive would, he emphasized that his administration would not stand by while social urchins and criminals plunge the state into violence. He referred to young men moving around wearing shirts emblazoned with knives and clubs, portraying violence.
“In the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency, Borno State recorded a rise in gangsterism, the kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions, phone snatching, and other social vices. To address this, the state government set up an anti-vices security outfit,” he added.
“Since the outfit began operating, Maiduguri and its environs have become safer, with a sharp drop in social vices and criminal activity.
“Media outlets with a track record of ignoring ethics and professional standards seized that part of the governor’s statement and crafted a narrative to portray him as heavy-handed, since they cannot question his achievements.”
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He, however, mentioned that the ADC’s response to the governor’s statement showed that the party is taking responsibility for the crimes committed by these groups across the state.
“Unfortunately for the ADC, its rash statement reads as self-indictment. Governor Zulum never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, ADC, or any opposition group; he spoke only about security, peace, and order. By issuing that statement, the ADC appears to be taking responsibility for the crimes committed by these groups across the state.
“As a responsible government, 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. In fact, Gov. Zulum did not mention any opposition party or political group in the media engagement,” he said.
Illiya urged critics to show restraint and responsibility when discussing matters concerning the state, given its more than ten years of experience with insurgency.
“Even in campaign seasons, there ought to be restraint and responsibility. Considering where Borno has come from, the least one would expect from the ADC is to join the call to ensure that nothing tampers with the recent peace and stability achieved under the administration of Gov. Zulum.
“It is a record-low time to play politics on the subject of peace and security, especially in Borno,” the statement said.
