Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said he cannot be silent in the midst of killings by terrorists.
He said this is because he had entered a covenant with God to defend the people of Borno by the oath he took on May 29, 2019.
Zulum stated this when he received APC Governors led by its Chairman and the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu on Sunday in Maiduguri.
A statement titled ‘Boko Haram: Why I can’t be silent, Zulum explains to APC governors’ noted that the Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammadu Abubakar, was also on the entourage.
It added that the Governors were in Maiduguri on solidarity to Zulum who came under gunshots attack in Baga town, Kukawa local government area, last Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
Zulum said, “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 allows me to complete this tenure, Alhamdulillah. But for me as a Governor to keep quiet while six million population of Borno State die and perish will never be good for me. It is a covenant between me and Almighty God that I should be truthful to my people.
“Let me also re-echo my previous position with respect to the insurgency in Borno State. I have said several times (that) there is no doubt, the gravity of the insurgency cannot be compared with what has happened between 2011 – 2015 and from 2015 till date. The President has done well, but the most important thing is, it’s good also to say the right thing. There is sabotage in the system that will not allow the insurgency to end. The President has to know this important point.
There is one very important portion that we need to address, why is the insurgency not ending? I repeat, there is sabotage in the system, therefore, the President needs to examine the current security situation in the region with a view to resolving it in a sustainable manner.”
The progressive governor’s chairman and the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, assured Zulum of their support and solidarity.
He said, “We are in Borno today (Sunday), on behalf of all our colleagues to show sympathy and express our commiseration on the incident that happened in Baga a few days ago.
On behalf of all our colleagues, I want to assure you and the good people of Borno that we are in this together.”