Babagana Umara Zulum, a professor
and governor of Borno state, last week praised President Muhammadu Buhari on
the security situation in the state — just after the killing of at least 43
farmers by Boko Haram.
Commenting after the Zabarmari
massacre, Zulum said despite these events, the north-east was safer under
Buhari compared to the past.
This came as a surprise to many,
as the governor had been very vocal in highlighting the flaws of the security
operations in his state.
According to insiders, Zulum was
trying to preempt those who wanted to take advantage of his bluntness to cause
disaffection between him and the president over his comments on insecurity in
the state.
TheCable quoting an insider said, “Borno state
suffered so much in the open and behind the scene under the Jonathan presidency
because of the manoeuverings of interlopers who pitched then-Governor Kashim
Shettima against Jonathan. Never again would such opportunists have a field
day,”
Zulum feared a political sabotage
of his aggressive recruitment of hunters and vigilantes — which could only
continue with the support of Department of State Services (DSS) and military —
to combat Boko Haram terrorists, according to insiders.
“He is also desperate to protect
the ongoing execution of over N23 billion resettlement housing and critical
humanitarian projects approved by Buhari in January 2020 based on Zulum’s
compelling request,” one of the sources said.
The source said even though
Buhari has clearly shown his strong admiration for the governor and had
directed ministers and heads of key agencies to work closely with him on the
intervention, some political forces in the state were already making moves to
poison president’s mind and set the presidency against Zulum.
“Zulum feared Borno people would
be the main losers if this relationship is soured,” the source said.
‘SECURITY
COULD GET WORSE’
Zulum’s recruitment of hunters
and vigilantes in their hundreds can only continue with the approval and
collaboration of resident military commanders who accept the volunteers — after
vetting by the DSS.
While initial comments on
Zabarmari killings appeared to portray the resident heads of security agencies
as incompetent, Zulum had enjoyed their “undivided” loyalty and cooperation all
along, a military officer disclosed.
“We (military) provide the
governor with helicopter almost on weekly basis to fly the cash that he usually
distributes to IDPs, alongside food, in remote locations. This is in addition
to weekly inspection of over 6,000 resettlement houses in LGAs undertaking by
the state government along with many projects,” the officer said.
However, another source said
Zulum) was faced with a “Catch-22 situation” last week.
“He knew he was going to be
attacked for his comments praising the security situation, but it was a price
he had to pay for the greater good. Borno is a war zone and every step of the
governor requires the full cooperation of not just the military but also the
DSS, police and other establishments who have actually helped Zulum to succeed,
whereas they are now seen as failures,” he said.
“The governor risked losing their
full support and the fact is that without the loyalty of these guys, he would
fail in his mission. Also do not forget that the governor cannot get the
loyalty of security heads at the state levels if he is seen to have problems
with the presidency. Zulum can gain all hero comments on social media when he
fights the presidency but ultimately his progress will be stalled and his
people will be the losers. In fact, ministers helping him with a major
intervention will become afraid to help Borno. ”
THE POLITICAL NUANCES
Two of the sources said the
political realities of Nigeria are “complicated” and “delicate”.
“In November 2019, Zulum wrote an analytical
letter to President Buhari, with a situation report, and he requested that the
President should approve the construction of 10,000 houses for resettlement of
IDPs in safe areas which are to come with some households. He also requested
some humanitarian interventions in food and condiments to the tune of N23
billion,” the source said.
“The money was not to be given to
Borno state government. It was to be released to the implementing federal
establishments such as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs
(NCFRMI), and ministry of humanitarian affairs whose agencies like NEMA and
NEDC have started building the 10,000 housing units. The NCFRMI is also joining
the construction which was why you have been seeing Zulum with Senator Basheer
of the NCFRMI.
“Also, President Buhari had
directed that Zulum must be consulted at all stages. In fact, Zulum decides
were the 10,000 houses are sited. Also the NEDC and customs provide regular
food supplies to Borno which Zulum himself acknowledges in public whenever he
goes to share food. The food items come from both the state and the federal
government as directed by President Buhari. So, the professor, as an academic,
critically took an unpopular but strategic decision.”
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