Boko Haram: Why I can’t be silent, Zulum explains to APC Governors' .. Says President Must Know this, Buhari, Buratai not to be blamed ...
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state on Sunday, told visiting governors in Maiduguri, that he cannot afford to be silent in the midst of killings because he has, by the oath he took on May 29, 2019, entere into covenant with God to defend the people of Borno.
Zulum stated this when he received the visiting State Governors under the platform of APC, led by its Chairman who is the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Bagudu.
Also, on the entourage was 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 were in attendamce at the meeting.
The Governors were in Maiduguri on a solidarity and Sympathy visit to their colleague, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum over the recent Boko Haram 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 because 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 about 6 million population of Borno State are dying 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 insurgency in the northeast, stressing that, " 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.
"The 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 Borno, that we are on this together. I remember in our first visit how full of admiration and appreciation he was of all the security services who were putting their lives and otherwise in discomfort of protection of our people.
"I believe this will only energies us to do better collectively, on behalf of all our colleagues, I urge you to keep doing what you're doing and may God support you more, and may God show us the day that will come when we will celebrate the end of this tragedy we have been facing.” Zulum said.