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By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Borno State Government has hit back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council over its criticism of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, describing the party’s statement as politically motivated and an attempt to misrepresent the governor’s recent media engagement.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, in a statement on Sunday, October 4, said the ADC’s reaction was based on what he described as an inaccurate interpretation of Zulum’s comments on security and social vices in Maiduguri.
The controversy followed a viral video and reports concerning the governor’s comments about activities capable of threatening peace and security in Borno. The ADC had demanded clarification over what it described as an alleged directive to arrest people expressing the “Tinubu Must Go” slogan.
However, Iliya maintained that Zulum’s media chat was focused on security, public order and the growing challenge of social vices in the state, rather than political opposition.
According to him, the governor did not mention the ADC, the “Tinubu Must Go” movement or any opposition political group during the engagement.
He said Zulum was referring to young people allegedly moving around Maiduguri wearing shirts displaying images of knives and clubs, which the government considers symbols capable of encouraging violence.
Iliya recalled that following years of Boko Haram insurgency, Maiduguri and parts of Borno experienced a rise in various social problems, including gangsterism, kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions, phone snatching and other forms of criminality.
He said the state government subsequently established an anti-vices security outfit to tackle the emerging threats.
The governor’s spokesperson said the initiative had contributed to improved security in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, arguing that the administration would not allow criminal activities to undermine the relative peace achieved in the state.
Iliya accused some media outlets of focusing selectively on Zulum’s remarks and presenting them as an attempt to suppress political opposition.
He described the ADC’s response as a “case of self-indictment,” arguing that the governor had not identified the party or any opposition group as the target of his remarks.
“The governor never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, ADC or any opposition group; he spoke only about security, peace and order,” Iliya said.
The controversy comes days after Zulum publicly denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts, saying he was not responsible for the arrest of five people recently detained by the police in Maiduguri.
The Borno State Police Command had said the five suspects were arrested over alleged offences including inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected illicit drugs, while also reportedly being found with “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
The ADC, however, has maintained that peaceful political expression should not attract arrest and has asked the governor to explain the viral video and reconcile it with his earlier denial.
But the Borno Government urged political actors to exercise restraint, particularly given the state’s history of insurgency and insecurity.
Iliya said preserving peace should remain above partisan politics, stressing that without security and stability, political parties would also struggle to campaign and conduct political activities.
He urged the ADC and other political groups to support efforts aimed at protecting the peace currently being experienced in Borno rather than politicising security issues.
“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,” he said.
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