Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has come under heavy criticism following the demolition of a five-story building belonging to Hon. Attom Magira, an opposition candidate. The move, widely seen as politically motivated, has sparked outrage among political observers and rights activists.
The demolished plaza, located in Yuye State, was reportedly constructed with all necessary approvals, including a statutory right of occupancy and development permits from the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB). Critics argue that the demolition is a blatant abuse of power, as there was no prior indication of a violation during the construction phase.
Sources close to Magira allege that his troubles began after his support group sponsored a billboard advocating for political unity in Borno State. The governor allegedly ordered the removal of the billboard, leading to Magira’s arrest and detention for nine days before being charged in court on what his supporters call “bogus charges.”
Observers have described the governor’s actions as a vendetta against political opposition, especially since the matter was still pending before a competent court of law. The demolition has raised concerns over the state of democracy and rule of law in Borno State.
Attempts to get an official response from the state government were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, political stakeholders and legal experts are calling for accountability, urging the judiciary and relevant authorities to investigate the matter.
