RismadarVoice Reporters
October 16, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno State and former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Inuwa Bwala, have engaged in a heated political exchange over Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s record on political tolerance and allegations of intimidation against opposition parties in the state.
The disagreement followed a Facebook publication by Bwala defending the governor’s approach to opposition politics, which the ADC rejected as an inaccurate representation of the political environment in Borno.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, the ADC accused the state government of actions it claimed were inconsistent with democratic principles, including the demolition of a property belonging to an opposition figure, alleged intimidation of political supporters and restrictions on opposition activities.
Bwala, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the incidents cited by the party had been misrepresented for political purposes.
He maintained that Governor Zulum had demonstrated tolerance towards opposition parties and that legitimate government actions should not automatically be interpreted as political persecution.
ADC ACCUSES ZULUM ADMINISTRATION OF SUPPRESSING OPPOSITION
The Borno State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, questioned Bwala’s portrayal of the Zulum administration as accommodating towards opposition parties.
Mustapha argued that several developments in the state raised concerns about the treatment of individuals and groups holding opposing political views.
He cited the demolition of a three-storey plaza belonging to opposition politician Atom Magira in Maiduguri, alleged threats against opposition supporters and the detention of five youths who displayed placards bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
The party also alleged that its efforts to organise political activities had been obstructed through the denial of access to venues and the removal of campaign billboards.
Mustapha criticised Bwala for defending the governor without, in the party’s assessment, adequately addressing these complaints.
“Ordinarily, we would not join issues with a former commissioner looking for relevance and patronage, but when falsehood is dressed as analysis, the record must be set straight for Borno people and for history,” he stated.
The ADC maintained that political tolerance should be measured by the ability of opposition parties and their supporters to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or unnecessary restrictions.
PARTY QUESTIONS DEMOLITION OF OPPOSITION FIGURE’S PROPERTY
One of the major issues raised by the ADC was the demolition of a three-storey commercial property belonging to Atom Magira in Maiduguri.
The party questioned the circumstances surrounding the demolition and suggested that the action could be connected to Magira’s political activities.
It also accused the state government of failing to provide an environment in which opposition figures could operate without fear of adverse treatment.
The ADC further raised concerns about alleged statements attributed to the Commissioner for Sports, Youths and Poverty Alleviation, Saina Buba.
According to the party, the commissioner’s remarks had created apprehension among opposition supporters.
Mustapha questioned whether such developments were consistent with the principles of political freedom and democratic participation.
The party called for greater accountability and urged relevant institutions to examine its complaints.
ADC ALLEGES RESTRICTIONS ON RALLIES, BILLBOARDS
The opposition party also alleged that it had encountered difficulties securing approval to use venues for political gatherings in Maiduguri.
It claimed that some of its campaign billboards had been removed by the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).
The ADC further alleged that certain party members had been subjected to profiling, although specific details of the alleged incidents were not provided in the account.
Mustapha maintained that the reported actions had contributed to what the party considered a narrowing of political space in the state.
He appealed to the Borno State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and civil society organisations to intervene.
The party said independent scrutiny was necessary to protect political freedoms and ensure that opposition groups could participate in democratic activities without undue interference.
BWALA DISMISSES ALLEGATIONS, DEFENDS ZULUM
Responding to the ADC, Bwala rejected the party’s interpretation of his earlier publication.
He explained that his Facebook post was an expression of personal political opinion rather than an official response to the ADC.
According to him, he was entitled to defend Governor Zulum’s administration from the perspective of a member and stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In the first place, what I wrote was neither a letter nor a rejoinder; rather, it was an opinionated analysis from a partisan viewpoint, because I am a stakeholder, as a member of the APC,” he said.
Bwala argued that the ADC had unnecessarily drawn itself into a discussion that was not specifically directed at the party.
He accused its officials of presenting government regulatory actions as evidence of political victimisation without establishing that the decisions were politically motivated.
DEMOLITION WAS URBAN PLANNING ENFORCEMENT — BWALA
Addressing the demolition of Magira’s property, Bwala denied that the action was connected to the owner’s political affiliation.
He maintained that the Borno State Urban Planning Board (BOSUPB) had issued several notices concerning alleged violations of building approval requirements and encroachment on a designated right of way.
According to him, the demolition formed part of the enforcement of urban planning regulations rather than an attempt to intimidate an opposition politician.
Bwala argued that properties belonging to APC members had also been demolished over similar regulatory concerns.
“To reduce an urban renewal enforcement to ‘opposition witch-hunt’ is mischief, no matter what colouration you try to give it,” he declared.
He challenged the ADC to produce a court judgment establishing that the relevant authorities had acted unlawfully or failed to follow due process.
However, the absence of such a judgment would not, by itself, establish that every aspect of the demolition complied with the law.
The legality and motivation of the demolition remain disputed between the parties.
BWALA EXPLAINS COMMISSIONER’S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS
Bwala also addressed the ADC’s allegation that Commissioner Saina Buba had threatened opposition supporters.
He said the commissioner had clarified that his remarks were intended as a warning against political violence and thuggery during a youth rally.
According to Bwala, the ADC had interpreted the comments as a threat to generate public sympathy.
He maintained that statements discouraging violence should not automatically be regarded as attempts to suppress legitimate political opposition.
Bwala advised the party to report any credible threats to the police for appropriate investigation rather than rely solely on public accusations.
FIVE YOUTHS DETAINED OVER ‘TINUBU MUST GO’ PLACARDS
Another major point of disagreement concerned the arrest and detention of five youths who displayed placards bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”
The ADC cited the incident as an example of what it considered intolerance towards political dissent.
Bwala, however, defended the involvement of security agencies, arguing that their actions were intended to maintain public order amid heightened tensions.
He denied that Governor Zulum had ordered the youths’ detention.
According to him, the state government subsequently facilitated their release following preliminary investigations.
“I challenge the ADC to prove otherwise,” he stated.
The competing accounts leave unresolved questions about the legal grounds for the arrests, the circumstances of the detention and the specific role played by state officials.
Peaceful political expression is protected under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, although security agencies may act where there are lawful grounds relating to public safety or suspected criminal conduct.
BWALA CHALLENGES ADC TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE
On allegations concerning political venues and campaign billboards, Bwala urged the ADC to provide documentary evidence supporting its claims.
He challenged the party to produce records of rejected applications for political gatherings and details of billboards allegedly removed unfairly by state authorities.
Bwala maintained that opposition parties had previously conducted major political rallies in Borno, including during the 2023 general elections, without being subjected to attacks.
He argued that such activities demonstrated the existence of political space for competing parties.
The former commissioner also said Governor Zulum had encouraged constructive criticism and remained focused on delivering public services.
ZULUM’S SUPPORT FOR TINUBU IS POLITICAL CHOICE — BWALA
Bwala further defended Governor Zulum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the governor’s political preference was consistent with his membership of the APC and should not be interpreted as hostility towards opposition parties.
According to Bwala, supporting candidates within one’s political party does not automatically amount to suppressing the rights of competing political organisations.
He urged the ADC to concentrate on strengthening its political structures and mobilising supporters rather than engaging in repeated public exchanges with him or the governor.
The former commissioner advised the party to focus on building its presence at ward level and presenting its political programmes to the electorate.
‘ZULUM WILL NOT BE DISTRACTED’
Bwala maintained that Governor Zulum remained committed to addressing the challenges confronting Borno State, particularly security, reconstruction and the resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.
“Professor Zulum will not be distracted. He is focused on resettlement, security, and rebuilding Borno,” he said.
He argued that political disagreements should not divert attention from the administration’s development priorities.
The exchange comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and political figures increasingly debating governance records, political freedoms and electoral competition.
While the ADC insists that recent incidents raise legitimate concerns about the treatment of opposition groups in Borno, Bwala maintains that the allegations are politically motivated and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
The claims concerning demolition procedures, threats, arrests and restrictions on political activities remain contested. No independent findings establishing political persecution or clearing the relevant authorities of all allegations were provided in the accounts of the dispute.
