Governor Babagana Zulum has sent a strong message to traditional rulers across Borno State — dereliction of duty will not be tolerated, no matter your title or position.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered the immediate removal of all Village and Ward Heads in Mallam-Fatori, directing that fresh appointments be made without delay. Their offence? They were nowhere to be found when the Governor came visiting.
No Show, No Seat
In a state still battling the devastating aftermath of years of insurgency, the last thing residents of any community need is leadership that is absent when it matters most. Governor Zulum, who has built a reputation for showing up — sometimes unannounced — in some of the most difficult corners of Borno State, apparently expected the same energy from his local-level representatives.
When he arrived in Mallam-Fatori and found that the Village and Ward Heads were conspicuously absent, the Governor did not waste time issuing warnings or setting up committees to “look into the matter.” He acted swiftly and decisively — sacking all of them on the spot and ordering that the process for appointing new, more committed representatives begin immediately.
Why This Matters
For many Nigerians, this kind of swift accountability from a sitting governor is both refreshing and instructive. Traditional rulers and community heads are not merely ceremonial figures — they serve as critical links between government and the grassroots. In a place like Mallam-Fatori, where communities have endured enormous hardship, that link is not a luxury. It is a lifeline.
When those in leadership positions cannot be bothered to show up when the Governor visits, one has to wonder — are they showing up for the ordinary people who depend on them daily?
Zulum’s action signals that his administration will not maintain dead wood in positions of community authority, especially in areas that require active, on-the-ground leadership to rebuild and recover.
Zulum’s Track Record Speaks for Itself
This is not the first time Governor Zulum has made headlines for holding people accountable in real time. Since taking office, he has repeatedly demonstrated a hands-on governance style — personally visiting displaced persons’ camps, supervising reconstruction projects, and making unscheduled trips to communities across the state.
His willingness to travel to some of Borno’s most volatile and remote areas has earned him widespread respect, and many Nigerians across the country have pointed to his approach as a model for what grassroots governance should look like.
The Message Is Clear
With this latest action, Governor Zulum has once again reminded public servants — from the highest office to the local ward level — that leadership is not a title you collect and then disappear with. It is a responsibility you must show up for, every single day.
As the process for appointing new Village and Ward Heads in Mallam-Fatori begins, one thing is certain: those stepping into those roles will do so knowing that this Governor is watching, and that absence is not an option.
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