Prof. Babagana Zulum

By Abdulrahman Yunusa

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum’s dealings with the power are enough to prove that he is an exceptional political player. He is extra cautious when sensitive issues are involved regarding the people he leads. He stood for his armless people during the tough days of Boko Haram activities and succeeded.

Unlike any other politician, Zulum neither puts his personal interest above his people’s nor allows his sentiment to overshadow his rationality. On the contrary, he often puts his people first before anything else. Thus, this aptly depicts how he resembles a statesman rather than a politician.

To attest to this, look at how he confronted several tragedies in the past. He does everything to get his people out of the cave of fear. Meanwhile, his recent assertion that says, “I’m not a politician, it’s my destiny that made me governor”, is another point of contention.

Either he said this wittingly to make an endpoint for his political voyage because he figured out something despicable attached to his govt, and he can’t withstand it. Perhaps he gets compromised as other politicians do, or he isn’t satisfied with his performance as a leader. That’s what we anticipated from President Buhari and his cohorts. But, instead, they end up disappointing us.

However, I do not support Zulum quitting politics so soon because he is the only man I have utmost conviction and respect for. And with people of his likes out of this dirty game, I can say we will be at a loss till God knows when.

Though I don’t know what the future holds for us, I’m terrified of losing such a rare gem among Nigerian politicians, for they always stand unique and prove to be the best among the rest.

I pray to have a lot of people of his personality amidst these useless politicians of ours because no matter how awful things go, they will surely change the narratives.

May Allah protect our Zulum, amin.

Abdulrahman Yunusa is a political and public affairs analyst. He writes from Bauchi and can be reached via abdulrahmanyunusa10@gmail.com.

A short video clip purportedly showing the trio of DCP Abba Kyari, bare-footed, greeting current and former governors of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum and Sen. Kassim Shettima has gone viral on Nigerian cyberspace. Some people, including news media, allege that the two high-ranking politicians were at Kyari’s residence for a “solidarity visit” over his travails in recent days.

You may recall that super cop Abba Kyari was suspended by the Nigeria Police Commission over his alleged collaboration with Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, and six others, in a $1.1m international fraud conspiracy.

An unsealed 69-page court document shows that DCP Kyari was under investigation by the FBI for his alleged link to Hushpuppi, who had pleaded guilty to fraud in a United States court in California. Subsequently, the FBI declares Kyari wanted and reportedly requested the Nigerian government for his extradition. However, he denies all charges in a Facebook post.

A Borno State government official confirmed to The Daily Reality that the video is neither new nor recorded at Kyari’s residence. Instead, it was taken at the house of the former governor, Kassim Shettima.

Looking more closely at the news on the television behind the trio, one can see the story about the release of the disgraced actor and comedian Bill Cosby. That happened on June 30, 2021, which means more than a month ago.

Moreover, the framed photo on the floor, beside a standing AC and behind Kyari, has Shettima and Zulum in it.

Conclusion: the video is FAKE as it loses its context. In other words, the video is, content-wise, genuine, but it is from an entirely different event, not the one flying on social media.