The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Borno State has distanced itself from Atom Magira, its former senatorial candidate for the 2023 election in the Borno Central district, who is currently in police custody.
Magira’s personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, confirmed that the former candidate was detained by operatives of the Borno State Police Command on Sunday night.
The detention allegedly stems from Magira’s critical remarks against Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.
Responding to the detention, Barrister Mustapha Mohammed, the chairman of the NNPP in Borno, stated that Magira had resigned from the party over a month ago and is no longer affiliated with the NNPP.
He further argued that Magira’s actions, including referring to himself as “His Excellency” and putting up a billboard advocating for a political merger, amounted to impersonation and a violation of electoral laws.
“Atom Magira is no longer a member of our party. He left over a month ago, and there is no NNPP chieftain in police custody in Borno,” Mohammed emphasized.
Attempts to contact Magira for confirmation were unsuccessful, as both of his mobile phones were unreachable.
Magira, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in 2019, has long been an outspoken opposition figure in Borno.
He has been particularly critical of Governor Zulum’s administration.
Reports suggest that the detention is related to a billboard promoting a “YES TO MERGER” campaign, which called for a merger of political parties in Borno State.
The billboard, which displayed Magira’s image and the campaign slogan, was allegedly destroyed by unknown individuals.
Sources claim that the state government is behind the destruction, asserting that the government has historically suppressed opposition in the state.
“Since 1999, anyone opposing the government has been silenced, but Magira has consistently provided a credible opposition,” one source alleged.
As of Monday morning, Magira remains in police custody, with no clear indication of whether he will face formal charges.
Efforts to reach ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, for comment were unsuccessful.
