Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has explained that his occasional firing and suspension of erring state officials do not make him happy, as they even create political enemies for him.
He, however, said he takes such measures to make government officials dedicate themselves to delivering critical services to the people.
Zulum disclosed this during the 2022 budget presentation at the Borno State Assembly on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
He said he will never sack any government official or ban political thuggery if he is obsessed with political popularity.
“In the over two years of having the privilege to lead Borno State, I have had occasions to take some tough and unpopular decisions. I have had to fire or suspend some people from their jobs. Firing people is not a pleasant thing to do and it did not give me any joy. I was once the Rector at Ramat Polytechnic and I would love to do things there that make me popular. My suspension of the Polytechnic’s management was not a pleasant decision and some people will bear personal grudges against me. I could be more popular if I allow officials to continue to do as they wish. I can also gain a lot of cheap popularity if I encourage ECOMOG (political thugs) to continue to operate, brandish my posters and keep saying ‘Sai Zulum’ (rather than banning them)” Zulum said.
The governor explained that “for us politicians, whether career or accidental, popularity is sweet.”
He, however, said he took an oath to serve the people of Borno State with the fear of Allah. “I am human and I make mistakes. But to the best of my ability, I consider the fear of Allah and the highest interest of Borno State and its people before I take any decision.”
“In my two and a half years as Governor of Borno State, I live, wake up and go to sleep every day remembering that I can die at any time. If and when that happens, I will surely account before the Almighty God for the decisions I make. I beseech all of us to remember at every turn that Borno State is not its usual self. Things are different. Our society has suffered and our people are suffering. We all have obligations to give our best of the best to move Borno State forward” Zulum said.
The governor noted that he will continue to take firm measures in the overall interest of Borno people in the majority.
