Borno: Zulum Denies Ordering Arrest Of Anti-Tinubu Protesters

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has distanced himself from allegations that youths who staged an anti-Tinubu protest in Maiduguri were arrested on his orders.

The governor’s denial followed a statement issued on Sunday by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, which demanded an explanation over a viral video in which Zulum allegedly ordered the arrest and detention of anyone found chanting, “Tinubu Must Go”.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the statement, signed by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, asked the governor to explain the contents of the video and reconcile them with his earlier denial.

In response, Zulum’s Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, in a statement issued on Sunday night, described the ADC’s allegations as “unprofessional”, accusing the party of misrepresenting the governor’s remarks.

The statement read:

“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.”

Iliya expressed disappointment that the ADC had relied on what he described as an “unprofessionally written news report” to accuse 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 said.

The spokesman clarified that Zulum’s remarks were made during a media chat with journalists in Maiduguri, where he addressed several issues, including a recent rise in social vices and crimes threatening the state’s peace and stability.

“As any responsible Chief Executive would, he emphasised 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.

Iliya said the security outfit had contributed to improved safety in Maiduguri and its environs, with a 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,” Iliya further said.

He, however, said the ADC’s response to the governor’s statement amounted to the party taking responsibility for crimes allegedly committed by such 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.

Iliya called on critics to exercise restraint and responsibility when commenting on issues affecting the state, particularly given Borno’s more than a decade 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.