By G9ija
The candidate for governorship from the Labour Party in Borno State, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, has accused the state’s current Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, of encouraging his supporters to commit acts of violence against anyone who votes for opposition candidates.
Speaking at a press conference held at the LP Secretariat in Abuja on Monday evening, Mshelia urged the ruling All Progressives Congress and the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to take action and caution the APC governor.
Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, spoke to journalists in Abuja on Monday and accused Governor Babagana Zulum of making inflammatory campaign remarks that could incite violence.
These accusations is coming just four days before the state’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
He said, “During his campaign in Biu, Southern Borno, which happens to be my zone, the governor was publicly inciting the citizens to take to violence should the APC candidates lose at the polls.
“Prof. Zulum, who spoke in Hausa Language, said at the campaign: ‘During the forthcoming elections, we are voting for governorship. Stand up and make sure our votes are high. Let’s also have all the nine seats in the state House of Assembly in Southern Borno. I don’t want any of them to lose. I am the governor; I have apologised to everyone in this zone.
While condemning the utterances, Msheila stated that he expected a more civil manner from the governor in the spirit of sportsmanship.
According to the politician, he was in the governorship race because he earnestly wanted to introduce good and inclusive governance in Borno State.
“I am in this race because it is my desire to elevate the quality of lives of Borno citizens and also to develop the human resources of the state. I strongly condemn this statement as electoral violence can breed unimaginable consequences and a governor should not be seen to promote election violence.” He said.
Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), responded to Mshelia’s accusations by calling for restraint and stating that the issue should be addressed at the state level.
He also found it ironic that the Labour Party candidate was accusing the ruling party of a trait that their own supporters were known for.
He said, “Well, I think it is a local matter. However, what else will the Labour Party say about incitement – whether civil disobedience or violence? That’s what they keep doing and are known for. They need to be calm. The election is almost over.