The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Borno State Government of trying to stop opposition activities before the 2027 general elections.
The opposition party said Governor Babagana Zulum's administration plans to use security agencies and state regulatory bodies against them.
But the government rejected these claims. They called the ADC's reaction political desperation and “self-indictment.”
In a press statement on Sunday, Baba Mustapha, the ADC's publicity secretary in the state, expressed worry about a recent broadcast by the governor.
The ADC said the broadcast contained direct and indirect threats aimed at their party structure in Borno.
“The ADC in Borno is a registered political party under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” the statement said.
“We are not a terrorist group… We have the constitutional right under Section 40 to assemble, associate, and campaign in all 27 LGAs of Borno State.”
The ADC claimed hostility from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) grew after they introduced a retired major general, Abdulmalik Bulama, as the running mate for their governorship candidate, Babagana Buhari.
“Opposition is not a crime. Criticizing government policies is not an act of terrorism. To label ADC members as ‘sponsors of protests’ or ‘trouble makers’ for presenting a strong deputy governorship candidate is childish, diversionary, and totally unacceptable,” Mr Mustapha stated.
The party also claimed it had information that the state government planned to use agencies like the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) and the Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) to intimidate its leaders and shut down their properties in Maiduguri, Biu, and other LGAs.
They called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), and President Bola Tinubu to step in and ensure fair play ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC also challenged Governor Zulum to address urgent issues like youth unemployment, unpaid salaries for workers, and the long stay of people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
In response, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Governor, Dauda Iliya, dismissed the ADC's statements as baseless and a fabrication based on an unprofessional report.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Iliya said Governor Zulum did not mention the ADC or any opposition group during his media engagement.
According to Mr Iliya, the governor's comments were solely about maintaining order and tackling issues like street gangsterism, phone theft, and armed individuals in public.
“As a responsible Chief Executive, Governor Zulum emphasized that his administration will not stand by while criminals disrupt the peace in the state,” Mr Iliya said.
“Governor Zulum never mentioned the ADC or any opposition group; he only talked about security, peace, and order. By making that statement, the ADC seems to be taking responsibility for the actions of these groups, a clear case of self-indictment.”
The governor’s spokesperson added that the state’s Anti-Vices security outfit was created to protect lives and property. This has led to a significant drop in violent crime in Maiduguri and nearby areas.
He urged political figures to avoid politicizing sensitive security matters, stressing that maintaining the hard-earned peace in Borno State is a joint responsibility that allows all parties to campaign freely ahead of 2027.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇