Christians are reportedly excluded from senior civil service positions such as Accountant General or Secretary to the State Government, often explicitly based on religion.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has been accused of systematically suppressing Christian participation in elective politics, appointments, and public institutions across southern Borno, a zone that has a more significant Christian population than northern Borno.
Sources allege that despite Christians making up about 20-30 percent of the state’s population, the governor reportedly ensures that key political and administrative positions go to Muslims, often overriding party primaries and local preferences.
During the build-up to the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries, Mr. Tarpaya Asarya, a Christian from Askira/Uba Local Government Area with strong grassroots support, intended to contest against incumbent Senator Ali Ndume. Sources claim that fearing defeat, Ndume and his allies approached Governor Zulum to block Asarya, describing him as an “infidel.”
The matter was reportedly escalated to then-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and former Governor Kashim Shettima, who allegedly intervened to prevent Asarya from contesting.
As a result, Asarya was redirected to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Askira/Uba–Hawul constituency, which he reportedly lost due to protests from voters who wanted him to run for the senatorial seat. Ndume was given the APC senatorial ticket without primaries, paving the way for a general election against PDP candidate Satumari Milnda Haske, a Christian, who won.
“Afterward, Ndume was presented with the APC senatorial ticket to contest for elections without party primaries. This happened due to the fact that they knew he couldn’t win primaries due to his lack of popularity,” a source said.
Allegedly, Zulum instructed that the election results be announced in Maiduguri rather than the senatorial zone headquarters, citing security concerns, effectively declaring Ndume the winner despite local opposition.
Appointments and Representation
Sources allege that Governor Zulum routinely restricts Christians from key appointments at both state and federal levels.
According to sources, while Christians are reportedly given token positions such as membership of the Christian Pilgrims Board or minor commissioner roles, crucial ministries, including Finance, Education, Health, and Works, are said to be reserved for Muslims.
Christians are reportedly excluded from senior civil service positions such as Accountant General or Secretary to the State Government, often explicitly based on religion.
Education and Institutional Bias
Critics also allege that Zulum favours Islamic education in Christian-majority areas. Reports indicate the construction of Islamic schools in towns like Uba in Askira/Uba LGA, while secular schools remain underdeveloped.
At Borno State University, sources allege that Zulum ignored civil service rules by refusing to appoint qualified Christian academics to leadership roles.
For example, Professor Haruna Dlakwa, a seasoned Christian professor, was reportedly denied the substantive vice-chancellorship despite being next in line after the previous VC’s tenure ended.
Similar allegations of sidelining Christian staff have been made at the School of Health and Midwifery.
A source said, “He took the responsibility from the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandabe, a liberal Kanuri Muslim from a well-respected family. Because of his fairness, Professor Sandabe reportedly aimed to employ indigenes from southern Borno to outnumber his Kanuri colleagues, noting that southern Borno residents are among the most educated and qualified in the state. He personally oversaw these recruitments to ensure this balance.
“When Professor Sandabe’s first tenure ended, he declined the opportunity to serve a second term. The position was then handed to the most senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Haruna Dlakwa, a Bura man and Christian from Haul LGA. Professor Dlakwa, a seasoned academic, had held a professorial position for more than 15 years before Zulum assumed office.
“After Dlakwa completed his acting tenure as Vice Chancellor, Governor Zulum reportedly refused to appoint him as the substantive Vice Chancellor. Instead, a Kanuri Muslim, who allegedly could not match Professor Dlakwa’s academic pedigree, was appointed. As a result, Professor Dlakwa left Borno University.
“In the School of Health and Midwifery, the Provost was a Kanuri Muslim woman, while her Vice Provost was a Christian from southern Borno. Upon the expiry of the Provost’s tenure, civil service rules required her to hand over to the Deputy Provost, the Christian.
“She reportedly refused to comply, remaining in office unlawfully until Governor Zulum appointed an external Kanuri woman as her replacement. The Deputy Provost was never given the opportunity to act in the role.”
Displacement and Unequal Resettlement
In addition, areas such as Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa, and Askira/Uba with substantial Christian population reportedly remain neglected in the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Sources said while Muslim-majority areas have allegedly received rebuilding assistance, agricultural inputs, cash support, and housing, Christian communities remain under-supported, with children unable to access schools and ancestral homes left unrepaired for years.
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