Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has shared a personal account of how he was detained by law enforcement officers over his ambition to contest the chairmanship of Mafa Local Government Area. The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while inaugurating the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.
Recalling the event during the inauguration ceremony, Governor Zulum noted that the incident in Mafa marked the sole instance in his life where he personally declared an interest in pursuing an elective office. He explained that his motivation at the time was driven by a desire to improve community water supply through the drilling of boreholes.
Describing the hardship he faced during that period, Zulum stated, "I was in Mafa, drawing water from a well, my hands blistered, soaked with blood. So, I declared interest and prayed to Allah for the position to drill boreholes in Mafa. But some people reported that I joined NADECO or whatever they call it, trying to instigate the public against the local government officials, and I was locked up."
Reflecting on the nature of political rivalry, the governor observed that brushes with security agencies can occasionally form part of the political journey. He remarked that such experiences should not unduly shock participants in political struggles.
Addressing members of the press, Zulum discussed the demanding nature of public office, noting that governing a state requires deep sacrifice, endurance, and dedication. He mentioned that the heavy workload often keeps him in his office until late into the night, typically finishing between 11:30 PM and 1:30 AM.
The governor also responded to public criticism, including recent controversies surrounding the arrest of certain protesters. He denied any prior knowledge of the incident, stating, "God knows, I only got to know about what happened in the mosque the following morning. But I have to absorb it because they voted for me."
As a leader approaching the conclusion of his tenure, Zulum encouraged party faithful to embrace forgiveness and foster unity. He shared a reflective moment from a visit to the holy Kaaba alongside President Bola Tinubu, where he chose to forgive those who had offended him while asking for pardon from anyone he might have wronged.
He appealed to politicians who lost out in party primary elections to accept their fate and support the APC's platform for upcoming electoral contests. Highlighting the divine nature of leadership, Zulum said, "It’s only God that gives power to whom He wishes, and if you take it in good faith, He will replace it with something better."
Directing his message to members of the National and State Assemblies who did not secure re-election tickets, he urged them to maintain a positive outlook and continue working for the progress of the party. He specifically mentioned loyal associates who would be finishing their legislative terms alongside him.
Charging the newly sworn-in campaign council, which he personally leads, Zulum advised members against resting on the laurels of past electoral successes. He tasked them with returning to their respective wards and polling units to actively engage grassroots voters.
Furthermore, the governor emphasized the importance of securing strong electoral support in Borno State to appreciate the federal administration's developmental initiatives. He called for a unified push to ensure victory for all party candidates across various tiers of government.