Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has appealed to the people of the state for forgiveness, especially to those he may have offended knowingly or unknowingly during his seven-year tenure. He made the appeal during his presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Budget, pegged at about N890 billion, to the Borno State House of Assembly on Monday.
While seeking forgiveness, Zulum acknowledged that in the process of electing his successor ahead of the 2027 general elections, he might again step on some toes. He stressed, however, that any successor must possess strong leadership qualities and the pedigree to continue from where he would leave off.
The governor also expressed his desire to leave office with a clear conscience and ensure that substantial funds remain in the state coffers to facilitate a smooth transition for his successor. On the issue of outstanding gratuities for retired state civil servants, which run into billions of naira, Zulum assured that all settlements would be handled transparently and judiciously before he leaves office in 2027.
“Our aim is to ensure that Borno State continues to consolidate on the achievements recorded under this administration,” Zulum said. Observers noted that political realignments within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are already underway as prominent stakeholders begin positioning for succession in the state.
