Boko Haram destroys 900 schools in Borno -Shettima

The Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Thursday revealed that about 900 schools have so far been destroyed by members of Boko Haram within the last three years.

The governor who stated this during the inaugural meeting of the steering committee of the Safe School Initiative added that a total of 176 teachers have so far been killed by the insurgents.

Shettima

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance, Abuja was attended by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam, and a representative of the governor of Adamawa state.

Also present at the meeting is the Publisher of Thisday Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena and Business Mogul Aliko Dangote, Director-General National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sani Sidi, representative of the National Security Adviser;representatives of the National Council of Women’s Societies Mrs. Edna Azura.

The meeting was part of measures aimed at ensuring a smooth implementation of the safe school project.

The highlights of the meeting, which was made available to our correspondent by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, revealed that all members restated their commitment to take all necessary actions to restore safety to schools.

It said, “The committee was briefed by representatives of the emergency states led by Shettima, on the current state of education following the insurgency.

“Borno State, the hardest hit by the activities of Boko Haram reported that 900 schools have been destroyed and 176 teachers killed from 2011 to date.”

It said while further briefing is expected from Yobe and Adamawa representatives on the impact of the insurgents in their states, security and counter-terrorism experts from donor agencies at the meeting formally presented a road-map for school safety.

Some of the options being discussed by the committee for immediate implementation are visual, temporary and mobile schools; school at home, in a box, container and tents as well as longer term strategies for rebuilding schools

It said, “The committee underscored the need to work with parents, the community and other stakeholders in designing sustainable safe schools solution.

“A Technical committee was set up to work out the details and modalities for implementing key decisions. It had its first meeting immediately after the steering committee dispersed.”

Already, the sum of $20m had been raised for the project with the federal government contributing the sum of $10m while investors in the private sector had also provided the balance of $10m.

Similarly, an Indicative Grant of $1m from the African Development Bank as well as a Norway’s contribution of 10m Norwegian Krone (or $1.5m) had been secured for the project.

Okonjo-Iweala had, while addressing journalists shortly before the commencement of the meeting, said the $20m would be used to enhance the security of schools through establishment of village security committees to help in community policing.

She said, “This initiative will make our schools safer and we will not relent until the girls are found because we want them to come back to see that our schools are safer with a more conducive environment for learning.

“The international community has shown a strong support for this project, so this initiative would complement ongoing efforts by the government to secure the country.”

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Boko Haram destroys 900 schools in Borno -Shettima

"I"ll rise and fall, stand by Shettima" - Borno deputy governor

Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha, has debunked speculations that he is set to part ways with his boss, Governor Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, APC, following overtures allegedly made to him by the Peoples Democratic Party.

Shettima

The deputy governor told reporters in Abuja yesterday that he would rise and fall with Shetttima rather than abandon him or dump APC. Mustapha said he had made a decision that Gov. Shettima would be the last person he would work with as deputy.

He also said that he did not see himself contesting as running mate or working under any other person, other than his boss, who he described as humble, a good listener and very consultative.

His words: “I have worked with His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima in the last three years and I can tell you that he is the best boss any deputy governor can have in Nigeria. He is so humble, kind; he is a good listener and very consultative. He respects me and protects my integrity as his deputy. What more can I ask for from a governor?

“I will rise or fall with him; I will stand by him through every step of the way, no matter what. Insha Allah,he will be the last governor I will serve as deputy because I don’t see myself being a running mate to any serving or past commissioner or anyone at all.

“Wherever Shettima stays, I stay; wherever he goes I go. This is my kind of person. I am an APC man and a committed one for that matter. My Governor is an APC man and I will support him.

“Together with leaders of the party at the national and state levels, we will move the party to a grand victory at all levels of the 2015 elections in Borno and the rest of Nigeria”.

On the APC congresses at the state and national levels, the deputy governor pleaded with aggrieved members to embrace peace.

He added: “It is God that gives power to anyone and it is also He that takes it or deny it to anyone.

“Politics is give-and-take and it is a game of strategizing and re-strategising. Sometimes, we don’t get what we want and sometimes we get it either as individuals or as groups, the important thing is for us to move forward.

“Those who win at every point in time should accommodate those who lost; everyone should be carried along so that we remain a family. We are always better together than being divided; we can always harmonise our interests – no matter how different.

“We must at all times put our country and our party first so that we commit ourselves to the values we stand for and move this country and our states forward.

“In Borno State, for instance, we had a very successful congress, but as we know only God is perfect. As humans, we are bound to make errors and at the same time make adjustments where there is need. It is the same with everything in this life. What is important, like I have said, is for us to forge ahead as a family, putting our past behind us”, the deputy governor added.

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"I"ll rise and fall, stand by Shettima" - Borno deputy governor

Why I stayed away from APC convention – Shettima

Maiduguri – Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Saturday said he stayed away from  the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja  as a mark of respect for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Shettima

Mallam Isa Gusau the Special Adviser to Shettima on Communication, said this in a statement he issued in Maiduguri.

“Shettima stayed away from the Eagle Square, venue of APC national convention as a mark of respect for victims of series of Boko Haram attacks in Borno that include families of those killed across the state.

“The action is also to honour parents who have remained in despair following the abduction of about 200 school girls at Government Secondary School, Chibok.

“The governor believes that the convention was a legitimate democratic process that must not be stopped in order to defy insurgents.

“Their (insurgents) desire is to suspend and replace liberal and constitutional democracy with violent doctrines that has no religious backing.

The statement said Shettima opted to stay away from the convention in order not offend the sensibilities of victims of the serial attacks in Borno State.

It added that the governor delegated his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha to represent him at the convention.

The statement said Shettima share in the aspirations and visions of the APC which is to transform Nigeria. (NAN)

 

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Why I stayed away from APC convention – Shettima

Borno accuses Okupe of peddling falsehood against Shettima

The Borno State Government yesterday faulted the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for his comment on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Okupe was quoted as saying that only God, Governor Kashim Shettima, Borno  Commissioner for Education and the principal of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok know the truth about the girls’ abduction.

The state said Okupe’s remarks were designed to manipulate the report of the Presidential Fact-Finding Committee on the incident.

A government source, who spoke in confidence, berated Okupe of peddling falsehood.

The source said: “Now that Borno’s support for the military is of public knowledge, the grand master of twists, Okupe, on Tuesday, came with yet another theory that died on arrival. All these theories won’t sell.

“Rather than waste energy on falsehood, let’s channel combined efforts towards the rescue or release of these priceless girls.

“Okupe needs to grow up; many of those who are younger than him in age and junior to him in many respects seem to be outgrowing him in management of public utterances. He should grow up.

“For us in Borno, we regard the police, the military, the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) as part of us. This is why we didn’t want to speak until we were pushed to the wall after all these conspiracy thoughts were brought forward. We should all face the real issues, which are about rescuing the schoolgirls and ending the insurgency, and quickly too.

“We should mobilise Nigerians against our common enemy, which is the Boko Haram, instead of making so much effort to turn Borno, the major victim of the insurgency, into the major accused.

“Okupe should know that majority of Nigerians don’t quite trust him; no one believes whatever he says. He should, therefore, help the Presidency and not mislead the highest level of authority in Nigeria.”

The source said Okupe’s remarks were calculated to achieve a predetermined target in the ongoing investigation of the abduction of the girls.

It added: “One must suspect and indeed question Okupe’s rather calculated remarks at a time the fact-finding committee on Chibok abduction, set up by the Presidency Okupe works for, is rounding off its assignment after speaking with virtually all relevant stakeholders with the highest point being the visits and interactive sessions with officials of Borno State Government in Maiduguri as well as parents, school authorities and students of the affected school.

“One would expect that the committee is writing its report by now and, given the facts already in public domain, it is clear that the likes of Okupe are jittery that the findings are unlikely to be what they had wickedly presumed, hence he says of things that will manipulate and mislead members of the Presidential Committee.

“Okupe knows very well that on the night the President met with the governor, the Commissioner of Education and the principal, the Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Chibok were also there in connection with fact-finding by the President.

“So, why did Okupe deliberately keep out the police in his innuendos? He was being clever by half. He kept out the police because he must have seen the letter written by the Borno State Government to the police prior to the attack.

“He also knows what the police DPO told the President the night they met. Okupe also knows that exonerating the police is keeping out the Presidency out of his innuendos. For God’s sake, the President set up a high-powered fact-finding committee; the committee must have, by now, found the facts. Why wouldn’t the Presidency trust its own committee and allow it to present its findings?

“Why is Okupe saying all these things to create yet another confusion, just when the committee is rounding off and, very likely, writing its report? Could it be that Okupe has got the impression from the facts already in public domain that the conspiracy theories have refused to fly?

“Perhaps, he has all the feelers that the facts on ground do not favour the desperate plot to pronounce a major victim guilty, as speculated? This is because the very first term of reference issued by the Presidency, which says the committee should find out why the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok was opened when others were closed in the state, has already been contradicted by the same WAEC’s letter that the Okupe’s relied upon, albeit blindly.

“The letter shows that not only the school in Chibok was opened but indeed Chibok was just one of the six examination centres in parts of the state, including areas not far from Chibok, that were opened to students.

“So, it is to be expected that someone like Dr Doyin Okupe probably regrets the establishment of that committee and hence the last minute desperation.

“Not only Okupe seemed involved in the last minute attempt. The Minister of Information was also all over the media saying all kinds of falsehoods all in a combined effort to manipulate the fact-finding report.”

The source said it had survived many conspiracy theories from some Presidency officials in the last few weeks of the abduction of the 223 girls.

Borno accuses Okupe of peddling falsehood against Shettima

#Chibok: Governor Shettima"s body language different from his words - Security consultant

 

A security consultant, Max Gbanite on Wednesday said the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima was out of place for divulging information on the number of girls identified in the new video released by the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Shettima

On Tuesday, Governor Kashim Shettima told #BringBackOurGirls’ protesters that the girls were identified by their parents in a video released on Monday by members of the Boko Haram sect.

“I have my reservations regarding the manner, with which this particular governor says one thing, (but) his body language means something other than what he said,” Gbanite said while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily.

On conflicting figures of the number of girls identified by members of the Chibok community in the new video released by the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, Gbanite faulted the Vanguard Newspaper for quoting 77 girls while the Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima had revealed 54 as the figure.

“The identification of these children should be left to the people of Chibok and the security agencies,” he said, faulting the governor’s disclosure as being hasty and out of place.

He further stated that the security agencies should oversee the identification exercise and not the governor, stressing the possibility that some of the girls may be from other tribes or neighbouring countries.

“The governor is in a hurry to give out information. This is not Nollywood nor Kannywood. We are at a very serious junction,” he said, noting that the media centre set up by the Federal Government should be allowed to divulge such information to avoid conflicting reports by all concerned.

He raised several questions as to why the Governor did not provide security for the school where examinations were taking place, as promised.

Gbanite also submitted that a conspiracy was in place in the scheme of things as the combined intelligence of Nigeria’s security agencies and the experts from the international community should have identified the location where the video of the girls was recorded. “Somebody is holding back information and we can’t just accept it all in totality.”

He mentioned that persons, who have been giving information to the public about activities of the sect, even before videos are released, should be invited for questioning on the method through which they obtain information.

He further linked the prevalence of terrorist activities to the prediction that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015 and wondered what the government was doing to ensure the prediction was foiled.

The security expert further advocated for a system to monitor the activities of Nigerians online which he believed would help in tracking the location of those working with the terrorist group.

#Chibok: Governor Shettima"s body language different from his words - Security consultant

#Bringbackourgirls: "I have information about abducted girls location" - Governor Shettima

By Ehi Ekhator

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has disclosed that he has information concerning the whereabouts of the more than 200 students abducted by Boko Haram.

Shettima

According to the report from BBC, Shettima said he has passed the information to the military for proper verification.

He stressed that he is of the believe that the girls are still in the country and not taken across the border to Chad or Cameroon as allegedly believed.

The President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on the other hand, said that an Israeli counter-terrorism team would arrive Nigeria to assist in the search for the girls who were abducted in Chibok, a suburb of Borno State on April 14.

But apart from the military experts provided by U.S. and U.K to assist, the duo country have distanced themselves from the suggestion that would lead them to sending soldiers to taking part in the rescue operation.

“There’s no intention at this point to be putting any American boots on the ground” said U.S Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday.

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, said it was unlikely Nigeria would ask for British troops to help, but he added: “I said to President Jonathan where we can help, please ask, and we will see what we can do.”

#Bringbackourgirls: "I have information about abducted girls location" - Governor Shettima

Stop Search Or We Kill Abducted Girls, Insurgents Warn

This is not the best of times for the parents of the abducted final year students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State, as suspected members of the Boko Haram have threatened to kill the parents and the students if the parents and soldiers continue with their search in Sambisa Forest, according to a report carried by the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA).

One of the parents told the VOA that “we are seriously disturbed about the abduction of the innocent children. We, the parents, have decided to raise some money to fuel 150 motorbikes to enter the forest in search of our daughters.”

Parents of some of the abducted girls have headed into the forest in a desperate search for their daughters. One of the fathers told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that he was willing to die in the forest in an attempt to free his daughter.

A group of parents have raised money to buy fuel and water and have moved into the forest with a local vigilante group to search for the girls.

The Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, the police, vigilante groups and volunteers are all involved in the search for the schoolgirls.

The school principal, Asabe Kwambura, and parents of the abducted girls had disclosed that the missing girls were 234 in number.

“We are calling on the government to do everything possible to track these people and save our daughters from them. They should not allow our daughters’ dreams to be shattered by these murderers.

“They took away our daughters and our nieces and we fear for their safety in the hands of these merciless people that take delight in killing and destruction,” one parent said.

 

25 killed in another Wukari community

Gunmen yesterday launched an attack on Ndo-Yaku Village of Wukari local government area of Taraba State, killing 25 persons and burning down houses, according to local sources.

The attackers, who were said to be wearing military uniforms, stormed the village which is a few kilometres away from the administrative headquarters of the council at about 9am.

Former president of the Jukun Youth of Vision, Wukari, Mr.  Luka Agbu, alleged that the attack was launched by hired mercenaries who are hell-bent on reducing the population of the Jukuns.

He said, “We don’t know what the Jukuns have done because it is only the Jukuns that they concentrate on, and as I am talking to you now, apart from the killings, several houses have been burnt down completely.”

According to him, the gunmen attacked the village and other villages that were previously attacked with General Multipurpose Machine Guns (GMPGs), easily overpowering the security personnel in the area.

He appealed to the federal government and state authorities to deploy more security presence to the community to contain the situation.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack, saying howeve, that he was yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from the area.

Bauchi Govt Evacuates 255 Students From School

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Ministry of Education has evacuated 255 female students from Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Yan, in Shira Local Government Area and has taken them to the state capital, Bauchi, following a recent attack by unknown gunmen at the school, according to a report by the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Gunmen had attacked Yana town on Sunday morning and set ablaze the staff quarters of GGSS, Yana.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the town with sophisticated weapons and explosive devices and reportedly burnt the school staff quarters, but no student was hurt during the attack as the school is closed for break, leaving the final year students in the school.

The hurried evacuation of the female final year students might not be unconnected with security lapses in the town and the abduction of over 230 final year students from GGSS, Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram sect.

Although, Bauchi State is one of the restive states in the northeast that is not affected by the emergency rule in the region, it has come under attacks in the recent time.

Boko Haram will not defeat us – Gov. Shettima

Meanwhile, the Borno State governor Kashim Shettima has declared that the Boko Haram insurgents will not emerge victorious in their continued killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians.

Shettima stated this yesterday this while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, following the recent attack and abduction of hundreds of female students at GGSC, Chibok.

The governor said: “They can burn our physical infrastructure, but they cannot destroy our souls. We are going to survive and rebuild our lives because truth will always triumph over falsehood.”

According to him, Boko Haram is an ideology built on falsehood which cannot stand the test of time.

Shettima also described the abduction of the students as a national tragedy.

“The abduction of innocent girls is also a trial from God, and we will overcome it soon.Our hearts go to the parents of the abducted girls, because it is a tragedy that has befallen all of us,” he added.

Shettima expressed optimism that the girls would soon be rescued by security agents.

He said, “Security agents are working very hard to rescue the girls. Hopefully the girls will be rescued in a very short while,” he said.

More troops deployed to Wukari – Taraba Ag. Gov

Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, has said that 50 additional soldiers have been deployed from Adamawa State to Wukari in Taraba State, in an effort to tackle the wave of communal clashes in the area.

Communal clashes have engulfed the area since April 15 leading to the death of at least 24 people.

Umar who revealed this at a news conference in Jalingo yesterday said the soldiers would complement the troops already on ground.

He directed that the Takum General Hospital, which was closed down due to security reasons, be re-opened so that victims of the recent violent attacks in area could receive treatment.

The acting governor sympathised with four women who were delivered of their babies at the Mutum-Biyu refugee camp and promised that government would render free treatment to every victim of the attacks in the area.

Umar announced that the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed in the area had been relaxed and would be in force from noon to 6am.

According to him, 29 trailers loaded with relief materials had been sent to Takum, Wukari, Gassol and Ibi areas to minimise the sufferings of the people occasioned by the attacks.

Umar reiterated that his government had taken proactive measures to deal with the security challenges, saying that security issues were too sensitive to be politicised.

“We remain committed to the security and wellbeing of the public. Unfortunately some people are using this security challenge to have political gains. Security of our dear state is too sensitive to play politics with,” he said. (NAN)

Kaduna Christians, Muslims Tasked Over Unity, Tolerance

A member of the Jema’a Emirate Council in Kaduna State, Zannan Jema’a, Alhaji Dankeke Mato, has urged Christians and Muslims to imbibe tolerance and live in unity in order to allow peace reign supreme in the society.

Mato also admonished the adherents of Islam and Christianity to avoid religious rivalry and ethnicity, adding that peace is the responsibility of all.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna yesterday, Mato said: “We in Kaduna State in the past lived in peace with one another other without discriminating on religious or tribal basis. So I think we should go back to that era when peace was the order of the day. I call on our people to respect one another’s faith.”

According to him, Northern Nigeria used to be the most peaceful part of the country but today the story is different.

He therefore appealed to the people in the state to disregard rumour mongers, and called on youths in the state not to involve themselves in social vices.

Mato further called on the people to support the administration of Governor Ramalan Yero who is always committed to promoting peace and understanding between Christians and Muslims in the state.

culled from leadership

Stop Search Or We Kill Abducted Girls, Insurgents Warn

Governor Nyako, others lobby National Assembly to stop extension of emergency rule

By Ehi Ekhator

As President Goodluck Jonathan schedule meeting with the governors on security issues tomorrow in Abuja, there seems to be a division among the governors over whether to allow extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

Shettima

Governor Kashim Shettima, Ibrahim Gaidam, and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states who have been stubborn about the extension, have been able to secure support from some of their colleagues who share their interest to reject further plans to extend the state of emergency in their states

It was gathered that some governors have been pressurizing the Presidency to extend the emergency rule despite the stand of the three governors who think otherwise.

It is gathered that three topics are crucial among other topics to be discussed in the security meeting with the President. These are: extension of emergency rule; .ending the state of emergency with enhanced security apparatchik in the three states; and .placing restrictions on some services – in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

It could be recalled that in November 5, 2013, President Jonathan wrote a letter to the Senate President, David Mark to request his approval to extend the state of emergency in the three states since “some security challenges still exist in a few parts”, and the request was granted by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The presidency is looking at the security implications of the three options.

Information gathered by the media (not NAIJA CENTER NEWS) has shown that although President Jonathan was already thinking of the legal and security problems extending the state of emergency would cause, the three governor has insisted on “no extension”

According to information, the three governors are already lobbying the National Assembly to reject any letter of extension of the emergency rule from the Presidency.

According to a top source : “Most of the governors are rallying their colleagues to end the state of emergency in the three states. They have also secured the support of quite an appreciable number of National Assembly members.

“So, the governors are determined to frustrate any move to extend the state of emergency. Therefore, unlike the overwhelming support, which the extension enjoyed in the National Assembly, it might not scale through this time around.

“The state of emergency is also already politicized, with the Presidency feeling scandalised.”

A governor said: “I know the state of emergency might be one of the issues to be discussed on Wednesday. We are already determined to ask the President to end the rule and let us see how the three states will cope.

“We prefer total overhauling of the security apparatchik in the three states than the state of emergency which has paralysed the economic activities of the states.

“The good thing is that the President cannot arbitrarily decide the fate of the three states. It is going to be a game of number in the National Assembly to extend the state of emergency. We are waiting for his decision.”

One of the governors of the three affected state confidently said “We believe we have had enough of the state of emergency because it has not stopped killings in the three states. Our position has not changed on the need to end it.

“We want to appeal to the President to provide adequate security instead of the extension of the state of emergency.

“What we are doing is to appeal to our colleagues to understand our position. We are better off without state of emergency.”

Responding to a question on when is the actual time the state of emergency should end, the governor said: “I think the state of emergency should end on May 19 and not April 19 , 2014 if it was really for a six-month period.”

A Presidency source, however, said: “Wednesday’s meeting is going to focus on how to end rising insurgency in all parts of the Federation.

“The President will present new security proposals or strategies by service chiefs to the governors for their input. He expects them to be large hearted enough and put the nation’s interest above personal sentiments or political partisanship.

“The new strategies will be applicable to all the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. He is meeting the governors because security is now everyone’s business.

“There may be need for more financial collaboration between the Federal Government and the states on the new security measures.

“The President is likely to use the opportunity to appeal to all stakeholders to avoid politicising security operations in the country. Some of the troops are feeling unappreciated.”

The presidency source said while talking of the state of emergency rule in the three states that “It will be an issue but not the main agenda.

“Even if it us not on the agenda, some of the governors will raise it because the fate of the state of emergency in the three states has dominated public discourse in the past few weeks.

“The President has not made up his mind on the extension of the state of emergency because he is still consulting on the matter. These governors should appreciate that the President is determined to end these killings in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

“The President is also likely to engage the leaders of the National Assembly on the way out. The consultation is necessary so that the governors will not turn round to point accusing fingers at Jonathan.

“We have three options including the extension of the emergency, ending it and applying the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 as part of the enhanced security operations in the three states.

Governor Nyako, others lobby National Assembly to stop extension of emergency rule

Gov Shettima, Sheriff Reconcile Differences

The months of bickering and war of supremacy between Borno State governor, Alhaij Kashim Shettima, and his political godfather, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, may have come to a happy end yesterday in Maiduguri when the two All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders finally agreed to bury their hatchet and work together.

Sheriff and Shettima

The duo said they had decided to bury their differences having realised that it was not in the interest of the state.

The reconciliation, which will bring to an end the crisis that had already polarised the party into two major factions, was credited to the singular political sagacity brought to bear by Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, an APC chieftain.

The peace pact was signed in the house of Senator Ali Sheriff located behind Government House, Maiduguri, where Governor Kashim Shettima and all who matters in the Borno State APC  converged to witness what they described as “A watershed in the brief history of the party in the state”.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who made the first reconciliatory remark, said himself and his political godfather, Senator Sheriff, had decided to bury the hatchet and work together to ensure that the APC  remained the ruling party in the state.

“This is a watershed moment for us; a momentous event in the contemporary history of politics in our dear state.  We have had some hiccups in the past and we have resolved as a family to bury the hatchet as a family, to face the challenges ahead. APC is a great family which like any other big family, problems like these are inevitable.  All is now over. We have reasoned as matured minds that in this time and age we cannot afford to engage in an endless war of attrition. We have resolved as a team in line with party rules to go for consensus candidates, in the event of no consensus, we then go for election. We have buried our differences in the interest of our people and security challenges of our state.  This is the last that the world will hear from us here in Borno on the issue of intra-party squabbles”.

Shettima paid special tribute to Alhaji Kashim Imam whom he said had “Worked tirelessly to restore peace”.

Senator Ali Sheriff, who spoke last, blamed the entire conflict between himself and Shettima on fifth columnists whom he said are doing so just to eke out selfish gains and destroy the party. He denied allegations that he was trying to deny Shettima a second term or bring in a candidate that will deny Shettima another term.

He said, “It is true that we have been meeting in the last three days. We have talked a lot. The truth is that if APC, as a political party, loses a unit in Borno State today, I will be the number one loser because I know what it took me to build the then ruling party, ANPP, which is one of the major coalescing parties that formed the ruling APC in Borno State.”

Gov Shettima, Sheriff Reconcile Differences