The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that he was locked up by the police simply for declaring his intention to run for the chairmanship of Mafa LGA in Borno State.
He stated that following the incident, he never again personally declared his intention to contest for any political position.
NEWSNGR reports that Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday while inaugurating the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri,
Narrating the ordeal, Zulum said, “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.”
The governor noted that detention is sometimes an inevitable part of the political landscape.
He added, “So, I will not be surprised if police arrest someone during a political struggle.”
Addressing journalists, the governor reflected on the heavy burdens of leadership, stating that steering a state requires immense sacrifice, patience, and commitment.
The governor mentioned that he routinely closes from the office between 11:30pm and 1:30am due to the sheer volume of daily engagements.
Zulum also used the occasion to address various criticisms levelled against him, including allegations surrounding the recent arrest of “Tinubu Must Go” protesters.
He maintained his innocence, 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.”
He recalled a personal spiritual moment at the holy Kaaba alongside President Bola Tinubu, where he prayed and forgave everyone who had ever wronged him, while publicly asking for forgiveness from anyone he might have offended.
He urged aggrieved aspirants who lost out in the party’s primary elections to put their differences behind them and work toward the APC’s success in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
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.”
