Omoyele Sowore
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has launched a blistering attack on Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, over comments he made while condoling with victims of a recent Boko Haram attack that reportedly claimed over 150 lives.
Governor Zulum, who visited Kwara State to commiserate with affected communities following the deadly massacre by Boko Haram terrorists, attributed the tragedy to fate, saying, “As Muslims, we believe in destiny and it is our sincere hope that, by God’s grace, this act will not happen again.
“Our prayers are with you, and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those that have lost their lives and grant them Aljannah firdaus,” Governor Zulum prayed.
The governor’s remark has since sparked outrage on social media, with Sowore reacting sharply in a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @Sowore, on Saturday.
In the post, Sowore described the comment as unacceptable and accused political leaders of hiding behind religion and fate while ordinary citizens continue to die.
“Imagine the kind of nonsense this brainless PhD holder, @ProfZulum, is spewing,” Sowore wrote.
He further questioned why victims of violent attacks are almost always civilians, rather than those in positions of power.
“Why is it that it is never the destiny of state governors to be slaughtered by terrorists and bandits?” he asked.
Sowore continued: “Why is it always the ordinary people, farmers, travelers, students, and villagers who are butchered daily, while those who claim to lead and protect the nation remain untouched?”
Pushing his criticism further, the activist queried the apparent immunity enjoyed by political office holders amid Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
“Why does death only visit the defenseless and never those who sit in Government House?”
He ended the post with a scathing remark:
“Foolish People!”
The exchange has since generated intense debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the role of leadership, accountability, and the use of religious explanations in addressing persistent insecurity across the country.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with deadly attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups, particularly in the North-East and North-Central regions, leaving thousands dead and many communities displaced.
