By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
An unprecedented crowd of supporters had yesterday stormed the Maiduguri International Airport to welcome and express solidarity for the Governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum over the recent alleged but dismissed plan to impeach him.
Governor Zulum was away in Abuja last week when the viral impeachment rumour via a Twitter post broke out of that members of the State House of Assembly plotted to impeach him.
Though the Assembly members have debunked the rumour during an extraordinary sitting on Friday, the members of the party still mobilised on Sunday to welcome him from Abuja and to show him their support.
Hours to the arrival of the governor, the road leading to the airport became filled up as officials halted the mass movement of the governor’s supporters who had filled up the airport.
Governor Zulum, who flew in a chatterer aircraft, landed at the airport at about 3.45 PM to be received by an unprecedented crowd who kept on chanting “4+4” suggesting they have endorsed his continued leadership till 2027 when his constitutionally allowed 8 years would have expired.
The crowd accompanied the governor to the Government House in a long convoy.
At the Government House, the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafutr officially welcomed the governor and told him that the crowd that received him from the airport through the streets of Maiduguri was a tester to his soaring popularity.
The Borno state Commissioner for Housing and Energy, Yuguda Saleh Vungas, said the mammoth crowd that welcomed the Governor was a precursor to how he has stolen the hearts of the people.
“The rumoured impeachment he said is also a blessing in disguise because it has accorded the people an opportunity to endorse the Governor for a second term pointing out that the people have spoken loudly and it is an indisputable affirmation of his leadership in Borno,
The Commissioner of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugum Mai Mele, said “though they have never taken the so-called impeachment threat or rumour not serious the party members and stakeholder in Government have to openly show solidarity with our amiable Governor.
Reacting, The Governor Zulum thanked the crowd for the warm welcome as he declined making further comments on the issue.