22/11/2023
Buhari speaks: Zulum was my lucky chap when I was President
… He is sound, incorruptible
In his first major interview since leaving office on May 29, 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari said while his administration recorded huge successes in fighting Boko Haram across the North East, his presidency was lucky that Borno State, which was the epicentre of the crisis, was under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, a highly dedicated, intellectually sound and incorruptible leader.
Buhari spoke exclusively to ‘NTA News Now’, in a 54-minute interview that was yesterday posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Malam Garba Shehu, who still serves as spokesperson to the former president after working with him for eight years (2015 to 2023) as Senior Special Assistant on Media.
The interview took place at Buhari’s house in his home town, Daura, Katsina State.
Buhari, in his response to a question on whether he was able to achieve some of his goals, said: “I will like Nigerians to reflect on what the condition of the country was when we came in, especially in the North East. Most of the North East was in the hands of what they call Boko Haram… I know the government I led was lucky, and the country was lucky to get the governor. The governor of Borno State is Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. He is very intellectual and sound, he is young, he is virtually incorruptible, because it was fantastic”.
The former president apparently made a reference to Zulum’s several frank interfaces with him over security, the governor’s fearless efforts in stabilizing communities affected by Boko Haram through regular humanitarian visits, mass recruitment of hunters and volunteers, the rebuilding of communities, resettling of victims and inspiring them to discourage them from joining insurgents as well his support for the military to complement efforts of the Federal Government during the Buhari Presidency.
The former president told a story to buttress his points about Zulum’s style of leader
