Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity, poverty and other challenges
Zulum made the call on Sunday in Kaduna shortly after an engagement meeting with Northern Nigeria women Ulama and Islamic scholars
He said Northern leaders had resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid, with an understanding that power would return to the North afterwards
The governor said the decision was aimed at promoting unity and sustaining peaceful coexistence between Northern and Southern Nigeria
“About five years ago, we decided to ensure unity in Northern Nigeria, and we have achieved our objective,” Zulum said
He said the North had supported the emergence of Tinubu, stressing that political understanding between the two regions should be sustained
Zulum said Northern leaders were committed to fulfilling promises made to Southern leaders concerning power rotation
He urged Nigerians to support the President’s administration and allow it to consolidate its policies and programmes
According to him, Northern leaders had discussed security, out of school children and poverty during a meeting with northern elites
He said far reaching decisions were reached to address the challenges confronting the region and improve the wellbeing of its people
Zulum said the engagement with women Ulama was aimed at promoting unity, peace and understanding across the country
He urged the women to take the messages from the meeting back to their respective states and communities
The governor said women had a critical role to play in achieving peace, noting their influence in families and communities
“Women should be given the opportunity to nurture their children so they can live in peace,” he said
Zulum said peace remained the major desire of people in Northern Nigeria, adding that residents continued to pray for an end to insecurity
He urged women to exercise patience, saying Islamic teachings recognised patience as essential whenever people were confronted with trials
“Whenever God tests us with a trial, patience is necessary before relief comes,” he said
The governor said politics should not undermine peaceful coexistence, noting that Northern leaders had previously supported Southern Nigeria after benefiting from political power
He recalled that Northern leaders had negotiated political understanding with their Southern counterparts, based on mutual support and power rotation
Zulum said the North should patiently allow the South to complete its tenure, while working together to determine the region’s political future
“I speak from the heart, not out of fear of anyone, but in the name of God,” he said
He expressed optimism that justice would prevail and urged Nigerians to work together to address areas requiring improvement
Zulum commended the organisers for convening the women Ulama meeting, describing it as important for strengthening peace and unity
He urged participants to replicate similar engagements in their states, particularly by mobilising women towards peaceful coexistence
The governor said women accounted for a significant proportion of votes in Borno, estimating that they constituted between 60 and 65 per cent of votes cast
He therefore stressed the importance of women’s participation in efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity and responsible political engagement(NAN)