Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has denied ordering the arrest of protesters chanting “Tinubu Must Go”, saying his warning was directed at individuals engaging in criminal activities capable of threatening peace and stability in the state.
Zulum’s clarification followed a statement issued on Sunday by the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, which called on the governor to explain a viral video in which he was allegedly heard directing security agencies to arrest and detain anyone found chanting the slogan.
The council said the reported directive was particularly concerning, noting 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 said the governor should explain the video’s contents and reconcile them with his earlier denial.
In response, the governor’s spokesman Dauda Iliya, in a statement on Sunday night, described the ADC allegations as “unprofessional”, insisting that the party had misrepresented 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 expressed disappointment in the ADC’s reliance on what he described as an “unprofessionally written news report” which accused the governor of threatening opposition politicians with arrest.
“The party’s press release is poorly thought out and a product of political desperation, which any keen observer would see it 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 clarified that Zulum’s remarks were made during a media chat with journalists in Maiduguri where he addressed several issues, including a recent spike 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.
“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.
He, however, noted 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 called on critics to exercise restraint and responsibility when commenting on issues affecting the state, considering its over a decade of insurgency experience.
“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.
