Borno Assembly Speaker
The Speaker of Borno House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, says that insecurity has denied his constituency of Guzamala Local Government the opportunity to benefit from dividends of democracy.
Lawan made the claim in his goodwill message at Ramat Square, Maiduguri after a parade and cultural dance to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
Lawan said that neighbouring Abadam local government was also affected as both areas (Guzamala and Abadam LGAs) have no security presence for several years for the needed enabling environment for development to take place as was the case in other LGAs of Borno.
“The security agencies have done very well in Borno. They provided the enabling environment in many areas but there is no security presence in Guzamala.
“My people feel neglected and abandoned. My people conducted 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections in camps,” Lawan lamented.
He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent measures in addressing the security situation in Guzamala and Abadam LGAs to enable the people return to their ancestral land to engage in agriculture and other businesses.
Speaking on behalf of Borno Elders Forum, the Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio, lauded the successes recorded in Borno despite the insurgency, and commended politicians in the state for showing exemplary leadership.
While reiterating the commitment of Borno elders to sustain support to the government, Mali Gubio stressed the need for government and all stakeholders to do something urgently on engaging redundant youths in productive ventures.
Also speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the Waziri of Borno, Shettima Bukar, who prayed for more peace in the state, assured the government of the traditional rulers support in the implementation of its laudable programmes.
In his speech, Borno Acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, lauded the support and cooperation of the people to the government and assured them of more dividends of democracy.
Kadafur lauded the kenetic and non-kenetic approaches being used by the security in the fight against insurgency saying that the measure was yielding positive results.
On the situation in Guzamala and Abadam, Kadafur said that a high-powered committee had been set up by the Borno Government for the resettlement of displaced persons now ongoing, adding that Guzamala and Abadam would not be left behind.
The highlight of democracy day celebration in Borno is a parade by the Police and paramilitary organizations and the pardoning of 10 prisoners.
