Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has revealed in Maiduguri, that at different times, his colleagues told Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum to make safety a value when working in tough terrains, but at all times Zulum replied saying, “what about my people in Borno State, what happens to them?” under Borno’s war situation.
Fayemi made the comments on Wednesday when he led governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, who is vice chairman of NGF, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who chairs APC’s Progressive Governors Forum, and Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who chairs the Northern Governors Forum, to Borno State to sympathize with Zulum over an attack on his convoy by insurgents.
- Attack on Zulum, others: Buhari supporters want service chiefs sacked
- Army teams up with Zulum on relocation of IDPs back homes
“This is not the first time you (Zulum) have been attacked, but you always said to me and to a lot of our colleagues that it is God that will protect. Even when we say to you, Prof, you have to be careful, you have to be vigilant, you have to protect yourself, you always reply by saying, what about the people? My duty, the primary responsibility I have as governor is the security and welfare of our people and that is what you have been discharging,” Fayemi said.
The Ekiti Governor said Governor Zulum was frank at meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari over the problems facing the state.
“Not long ago, you (Zulum) and I (Fayemi) had a meeting with Mr. President on these issues. You were very frank with Mr. President about what is going on here, the difficulty that the military is experiencing, and the challenges that our people have in returning back to their communities and your determination to ensure that the local population returns to their homes and farmlands.
“In spite of all your efforts and the work you continue to do, it is obvious that we still have a lot to do as a country,” Governor Fayemi said.
He noted that all Governors consider the insecurity in Borno as a collective problem which should be addressed with renewed vigour and commitment.
“We do not see this [issue of Borno] as an isolated challenge, because if we do not tame the tide of the problem that we are seeing here, it will inexorably consume our entire country. That’s why we must associate with you, we must demonstrate solidarity and show concern so that not just at our own level but the leadership in the entire country that is already doing a lot to confront this challenge, will also do more,” Fayemi added.
In his response, Zulum expressed gratitude to the forum represented by his four colleagues for the empathy demonstrated towards the people of Borno.
Zulum highlighted that Borno was facing serious humanitarian issues which he said was of great concern to him, noting that the solution lies with supporting dignified return of willing IDPs to safe and rebuilt communities where they can return to making livelihoods.
Continuous dependence on food aid from donors, he said, was no longer sustainable given huge population of those in need.
Also, the government, in its policy, does not force any displaced person to return to his community, Zulum reiterated.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
