Zulum Reiterates Ban On Political Thuggery, Says Attack On Atiku's Convoy Despicable

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has reiterated his ban on political thuggery across the state. 

The governor further expressed displeasure over the recent attack on the convoy of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar when he visited the state on November 9, 2022.

Zulum made this known during the inauguration of the State’s Campaign Council for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He warned in strong terms against any activities of political thuggery at any point, before, during or after any election. 

The governor who addressed the campaign council made up of the APC’s critical stakeholders and top government officials described the attack on Atiku's convoy as worrisome and disturbing.

In a statement signed and issued by his spokesperson on Monday, Malam Isa Gusau, governor Zulum said: “There have been recent disturbing and worrisome political developments in the state. 

"I am specifically referring to the spate of violence and assault meted out to the PDP and its presidential candidate (Atiku Abubakar) when they came here (Maiduguri) for their campaign rally."

“I want to put it on record that the assault was neither deliberate nor pre-planned. 

"It was a spontaneous outburst by a coterie of some political party miscreants, cutting across all political parties. 

“Suffice it to point out that what happened was despicable and unwarranted and it strikes at the very essence of democracy, which thrives and matures amidst the plurality of political parties. 

"It has been posited time and again that any move against an opposition political party tends to raise the popularity of the opposition in the eyes of the electorate. 

"So it is fruitless to even contemplate attacking the opposition. 

"I have absolute confidence in the ability of security agencies investigating the matter to do justice, equity and fairness both to the victims and the culprit."