“ADC Has Indicted Itself, Zulum Never Mentioned Tinubu Must Go Protesters” — Borno Govt Fires Back, Says Statement Is Political Desperation

The Borno State Government has reacted with dismay to the recent statement by the Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which accused Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum of threatening opposition politicians with arrest.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 4, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, the government described the ADC’s press release as poorly thought out and a product of political desperation, which any keen observer would see as “a case of self-indictment.”

It said it was regrettable that the party relied on an unprofessionally written news report to accuse the governor of threatening opposition politicians with arrest.

For the record, the statement clarified, Governor Zulum held a media chat with journalists in Maiduguri, addressing several issues, including a recent spike in social vices and crimes threatening the state’s peace and stability. As any responsible Chief Executive would, he emphasized that his administration would not stand by while social urchins and criminals plunge the state into violence.

The government said the Governor referred to young men moving around wearing shirts emblazoned with knives and clubs, portraying violence, and not political slogans.

In the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency, Borno State recorded a rise in gangsterism, the kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions, phone snatching and other social vices. To address this, the state government set up an Anti-Vices security outfit.

Since the outfit began operating, Maiduguri and its environs have become safer, with a sharp drop in social vices and criminal activity, the statement noted.

The Borno Government accused some media outlets with a track record of ignoring ethics and professional standards of seizing that part of the governor’s statement and crafting a narrative to portray him as heavy-handed, since they cannot question his achievements.

“Unfortunately for the ADC, its rash statement reads as self-indictment. Governor Zulum never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, ADC or any opposition group; he spoke only about security, peace, and order. By issuing that statement, the ADC appears to be taking responsibility for the crimes committed by these groups across the state,” Iliya said.

As a responsible government, Prof. Zulum’s administration will not allow the state’s hard-earned peace to be truncated; for without order and stability, no party can campaign for any election, the statement added.

It stressed that Gov. Zulum did not mention any opposition party or political group in the media engagement.

Even in campaign seasons, there ought to be restraint and responsibility, the government said, adding that considering where Borno has come from, the least one would expect from the ADC is to join the call to ensure that nothing tampers with the recent peace and stability achieved under the administration of Gov. Zulum.

“It is a record-low time to play politics on the subject of peace and security, especially in Borno,” the statement concluded.

Source: Press Statement By Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser to Borno State Governor (Media/Spokesperson) | October 4, 2026