Borno State governor Babagana Zulum has denied ordering the arrest of “Tinubu Must Go” protesters in the state, emphasizing that his threats were particularly for criminals threatening the peace and stability of the state.
The governor’s clarification was in response to a statement issued on Sunday by the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, which demanded an explanation from Babagana Zulum over a viral video in which he allegedly ordered the arrest and detention of anyone found expressing the slogan “Tinubu Must Go.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the council said the reported directive was particularly troubling because Zulum had recently denied ordering the arrest of people 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 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 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.
