Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has firmly denied widespread speculation suggesting that he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress to the opposition African Democratic Congress alongside five other governors.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his spokesperson, Mallam Dauda Iliya, the governor described the defection rumour as a fabricated story engineered by “unscrupulous elements” intent on stirring political tension and misleading the public.
“We have become aware of a fictitious and mischievous social media report circulating in certain quarters, alleging plans by me to decamp from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress, alongside five other governors,” the statement read.
Zulum categorically dismissed the claim as false, asserting that it is the handiwork of detractors who have made no tangible contributions to the growth of Borno State or Nigeria at large.
“This is entirely false and exists only in the imagination of its sponsors. They are detractors whose only motive is to cause distraction and create political unrest,” he said.
The governor reiterated his unwavering loyalty to the ruling party and restated his dedication to the people of Borno State. “My loyalty to the APC remains firm, and my dedication is solely to the welfare and progress of Borno State. I urge the good people of Borno and the general public to disregard this fabrication. We have no time for cheap politics; our hands are full of the noble task of rebuilding and developing our dear state.”
Zulum also appealed to media organisations to verify information from credible sources before publishing, warning against being used as tools for misinformation.
“I call on media outlets and the public to verify information from credible official sources and to ignore the desperate fabrications of those seeking relevance through disinformation,” he added. “We remain resolute in our commitment to serving Borno State under the banner of our great party, the APC.”
The governor’s response comes amid growing online speculation about political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
