Governor Zulum Reveals How Police Detained Him After Declaring Mafa Chairmanship Ambition

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has recounted how he was allegedly detained by the police after declaring his intention to contest for the chairmanship of Mafa Local Government Area, revealing that the incident discouraged him from personally announcing his political ambitions in subsequent years.

Zulum made the disclosure on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council at the Government House Multipurpose Hall in Maiduguri.

Narrating his experience, the governor said he had expressed interest in leading Mafa after witnessing the difficulties residents faced in accessing water, particularly while he was drawing water from a well and sustained injuries to his hands.

He explained that his intention was to improve access to water by providing boreholes for the community. However, he claimed that some individuals reported him to the authorities, alleging that he had joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and was attempting to incite residents against local government officials.

According to Zulum, the allegations eventually led to his detention by the police.

“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,” he recounted.

The governor said the experience influenced his approach to declaring political ambitions, adding that he never again personally announced his intention to contest for any political office.

He also observed that arrests could sometimes occur during political struggles, noting that he would not be surprised if individuals were detained in the course of political activities.

Speaking on the responsibilities of leadership, Zulum described governing a state as a demanding responsibility that requires sacrifice, patience and commitment. He disclosed that his daily engagements often keep him in the office until between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

The governor also addressed allegations surrounding the recent arrest of protesters associated with the “Tinubu Must Go” campaign, particularly claims linking him to an incident at a mosque.

Zulum denied any involvement, insisting that he only became aware of what happened the following morning.

“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 said.

He further recalled a spiritual experience at the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia, where he said he prayed alongside President Bola Tinubu and sought forgiveness for anyone he might have offended, while also forgiving those who had wronged him.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Zulum urged APC aspirants who lost in the party’s primary elections to put aside their differences and work together towards securing victory for the party.

He maintained that political power ultimately comes from God and encouraged those who were unsuccessful in their political pursuits to accept the outcome in good faith, expressing confidence that better opportunities could come their way.