Borno governor Shettima promises not to interfere with choice of successor

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has pledged not to endorse a candidate at the September All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.

During a Sallah buffet at Government House, Maiduguri, the governor said “it is God that gives power to whom he desires to lead.”

While thanking the people for the support given to him in the last seven years, Shettima promised not to interfere with the APC primaries in the state.

Expressing glee with Borno people who trooped out to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir with him, the governor said his administration’s ability to overcome the challenges of Boko Haram led to the degrading of the terrorists.

His words: “We are currently rebuilding the destroyed communities and schools, with the provision of social amenities and restoration of people’s dignity, particularly the over 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“These make me happy and thankful to Almighty God who has given us this golden opportunity to celebrate Sallah at Government House, Maiduguri; though this could be my last time to host you as the executive governor, as my tenure elapses on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.”

Appealing to all who he might have offended to forgive him, he added: “Some of our colleagues who are planting seeds of discord in APC because of who may emerge as my successor will definitely fail in their mission. It is only God who gives power to whom he desires.

“Some of us who have converted themselves to ‘insurgency politicians’ will be definitely disappointed, God willing. Where were they when we were battling Boko Haram insurgents?”

According to him, whoever emerges the party’s candidate through the primaries, “we will definitely support the person to come out victorious to continue from where I will stop.”

In a related development, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, who paid a Sallah visit to Shettima, thanked the governor for supporting the traditional institution.

He appealed to the federal and state governments to rebuild the Maiduguri/Cross Kauwa and Dikwa/Ngala/Rann/Malam Fatori roads.

Assuring that N1 billion had been released for the immediate construction of Ngala/Kala/Balge border road with Cameroon, he noted that the Cross Kauwa/ Malam Fatori road would be difficult to construct, because of the ongoing military operations in Abadam and Marte councils.