Boko Haram: Why I Can’t Be Silent Zulum To APC Governors.

From. Sadiq Abubakar, Maiduguri

Shocked Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state has said that he cannot afford to be silent in the midst of killings in the state by terrorists because he has, by the oath he took on May 29, 2019, entered into covenant with God to defend the people of Borno.

Zulum stated this when he received the visiting APC controlled state Governors led by its xhairman the Governor of Kebbi State,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Bagudu.

Also, on the entourage were the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, the State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Former Governor Kashim Shettima, Senator Muhammad Ali Ndume and few members of the state executive council.

The governors were in Maiduguri on a solidarity  and Sympathy visit to their colleague, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum over the recent Boko Haram ambush and  attack along Baga road in  Baga town of Kukawa Local Government  Area last Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

“Our people need to be provided safe access to farmlands so they can earn livelihoods. The military needs to ensure this happens and I will continue to raise this. I remain resolute, firm, and committed, only God can give power.

” I am not after second term, if God allow me to complete this tenure Alhamdulillah. But for me as a Governor to keep quiet while six million population of Borno State to die, to perish will never be good for me. It is a covenant between me and Almighty God that I should be truthful to my people.” Zulum said.

He  also alleged sabotage in the prosecution of the war against in insurgency in the northeast, stressing that, ” the President  Buhari needs to know the truth”.

“Let me also re-echo my previous position with respect to the insurgency in Borno State, I have said several times there is no doubt, the gravity of the insurgency cannot be compared with what has happened between 2011 – 2015 and from 2015 to date.

“⅞The President has done well, but the most important thing is, it’s good also to say the right thing. There is a sabotage in the system that will not allow the insurgency to end. The President has to know this important point.

“When he came to Maiduguri two months ago, I said so because between 2011 to 2015, at a time, almost about 22 LGAs were under the insurgents.

“Out of the four main roads that lead to Maiduguri. Only one was functional. There are changes, the line of demarcation is very distinct and cannot be crossed. But Notwithstanding, there is one very important portion that we need to address, why is the insurgency not ending?

“I repeat, there is a sabotage in the system, therefore, the President need to exermine the current security situation in the region with a view to resolving it in a sustainable manner.” Zulum  said.

Governor Zulum further lamented on the increasing  number of IDPs in Borno, noting that, “there is  need for the people to return to the place where certain level of peace has been attained.”

“We have huge population that has no access to the agricultural lands, and poverty is one of the root causes of the insurgency. What we need is, where there’s peace allow the people to go back to their homes. So that they can earn their means of livelihood.” Zulum said.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Governor’s Chairman  who is the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Bagudu has assured Governor Zulum of their support and solidarity.

“ We are in Borno today, on behalf of all our colleagues to wish our brother and colleague, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum happy Sallah.

“And secondly, to show sympathy and express our commiseration on the incident that happened in Baga few days ago. May God continue to protect you and indeed all the people of Borno State, and may God help us defeat these enemies within and outside, who for over a decade now have challenged our resolve, but they wouldn’t break us”, Bagudu  said.

He added, “On behalf of all our colleagues, I want to assure you and the good people of the state”.