Borno assembly shelves ‘plot’ to impeach Zulum

Members of the Borno State House of Assembly, on Friday, put to rest the speculations of their plans to impeach Governor Babagana Zulum over alleged infractions.

The members, during a special sitting, eulogised Prof Zulum during which they took turns to debunk the claims of impeachment.

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They said contrary to the news making the rounds, they did not initiate any impeachment inquiry against the governor.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that the planned impeachment had gone viral on social media after the rumour was first circulated by an online newspaper.

During the special plenary yesterday, the Speaker, Abdulkarim Lawan, said they never contemplated removing the governor.

According to him, “There was no plan whatsoever to remove our hardworking governor who restored confidence in our governance and the state in general. “We also condemn the news and debunk the unverifiable publication and also urge the medium to verify news reports before publication.

“We call on various security agencies to bring to book the perpetrators of this malicious news report as we, members of Borno State House of Assembly, pass vote of confidence in the leadership style of Prof Babagana Umara Zulum.”

House Leader, Dige Mohamed (Kala Balge Constituency), earlier called on the house to dispel the news in a motion under matters of public importance.

However, our correspondent learnt from credible sources that beyond the exaltations at the floor of the assembly yesterday, some of the legislators had grumbled for weeks.

“The truth is that some disgruntled members who felt sidelined wanted to cause chaos in the house. They had met severally in some places and thought of spearheading the removal of the governor.

“Of course they wouldn’t have succeeded considering the domineering nature of the executive over the legislature in many states. Also, Zulum is so purpular in Borno and beyond; It will therefore be  very difficult to remove him.   That notwithstanding, the angry Borno legislators made a point to the extent that they had to be cajoled to shelve the idea. Some elders, including former Governor Kashim Shettima, talked to them,” a source said.

Another source said the aggrieved legislators felt the governor was treating them unfairly.

“They were actually few in number and did not have the muscle to kill a fly, but you know, it is dangerous to undermine the mischief of a politician. They said the governor was travelling with few of them and engaging them in state matters,” the source said.