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The day Gov. Zulum attacked, threatened to jail Imam for sitting on chair during function (Videos)

March 17, 2024

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The day Gov. Zulum attacked, threatened to jail Imam for sitting on chair during function (Videos)

Story from Kasim Isa Muhammad

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has been criticised after a video of him surfaced threatening to jail and disgrace a religious leader and Islamic scholar, Imam Babagana, for sitting on a sofa during a condolence function for the late Maidaribe’s wife in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Imam Babagana is a renowned Islamic scholar who holds the esteemed traditional title of Shettima Ilmube of Borno, an honor exclusively conferred by the Shehu of Borno upon scholars who have demonstrated exceptional expertise in the realm of knowledge.

The video obtained by Neptune Prime showed where the Governor, while addressing the gathering in Kanuri language, allegedly expressed his disapproval, citing it as disrespectful for a religious leader to occupy a sofa while others remained seated on the ground.

However, Imam Babagana also known as 18K, attempted to clarify to Governor Zulum that he had undergone over four kidney transplants and could not comfortably sit on the floor.

But despite the cleric’s explanation, Zulum allegedly persisted with his threats to jail him.

Neptune Prime gathered that Imam Babagana is a prominent religious leader in Borno State and has undergone multiple kidney transplant surgeries.

Due to the medical procedures, the Imam requires sitting accommodations because of his inability to stand for extended periods.

Reacting to the incident, Borno residents took to various social media platforms to criticize the Governor’s actions.

They argued that Zulum’s behaviour was unwarranted and unjustified.

Yusuf Sheriff Banki, an entrepreneur, politician, and businessman, expressed shock at Governor Zulum’s behaviour at the late Maidaribe’s residence.

Banki highlighted Imam Babagana’s status as an elderly man who has memorized the Holy Quran and has battled sickness for many years, including undergoing multiple kidney transplants.

He emphasized that leaders should serve the people and show respect towards them, while questioning Governor Zulum’s actions, stating that despite Imam Babagana’s explanation of his health condition, the governor still threatened to jail him.

Banki pointed out that only a court of law possesses the authority to issue such judgments, implying that Governor Zulum wants to overuse his power.

Yusuf speculated whether Governor Zulum lacked knowledge of the Constitution or deliberately disregarded the rule of law.

He condemned the governor’s repeated threats of imprisoning innocent individuals and called for accountability.

Neptune Prime gathered that Banki reminded Governor Zulum of the transient nature of power, urging him to display humility, emphasizing Imam Babagana’s position as a reputable religious leader in Borno and deemed Governor Zulum’s actions unacceptable.

Equally, Malam Abuy Abba Akhuwa criticized the governor’s actions on his Facebook page, expressing distress after watching the video. Akhuwa remarked, “Power is temporary, but some people fail to recognise this fact.”

Another resident, Engineer Zakaria Umar, a lecturer at Ramat Polytechnic, commented on the intoxicating nature of power, suggesting that it can lead to irrational behaviour.

Umar cited recent psychiatric discoveries, implying that individuals may only regain clarity once they relinquish their positions of power.

Bakura Alhaji Bukar also weighed in, noting that Imam Babagana had provided an explanation for his actions, which the governor failed to grasp.

See videos below: