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Tag: Borno Governor

  • 2019: Borno governor backs Buhari’s re-election bid 

    Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Monday threw his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to re-contest presidential election in 2019.

    Buhari at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday had declared his intention to run for the election.

    According to Shettima, the President has the right of first refusal of the candidature of the party.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Shettima said “We are fully in support of his decision and it’s part of democratic culture, traditionally the president has the right of first refusal of the candidature of their party, so it’s not something that is unusual or unwarranted or unconstitutional he has done the right thing, he is going to contest and we are solidly behind him.

    On whether the President consulted with the governors, he said “He is not under any obligation to consult governors or anybody; he has been under tremendous pressure to make that pronouncement so we should heave a sigh of relief since he has finally announced his intention to contest.

    Asked how supportive the governors will be to him, he said “We will give him the kind of support we gave him in 2015.

    Asked whether the declaration will not be distracting government, the governor said “Certainly it is not distracting government, it will even calm down governance so that people will concentrate on the real act of governance and deliver the dividends of democracy.

    On the chances of President Buhari winning the election, he said “Certainly, he is the single kinetic president in Nigeria’s political life till date.”

    Read Also: Buhari’s declaration will silence the opposition, says Okorocha

  • Osinbajo, Borno Governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Borno Governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    •Fed Govt backs Bama initiative 

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met behind closed doors with Service chiefs and Borno State Governor Kashim Ibrahim.

    The meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa in  Abuja, started few minutes to 6p.m at the Vice President’s conference room.

    At the meeting were the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff Sadique Abubakar.

    Others are: Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari, National Security Adviser(NSA) Babagana Monguno and  Interior Minister Abdulraman Dambazzau.

    Governor Shettima told reporters at the end of the meeting that the parley was an exploratory one to cross pollinate ideas on the rebuilding of the northeast.

    He said the Federal Government has magnanimously decided to support the state in the Bama initiative, which is a pilot scheme.

    The governor hoped that the scheme will be replicated in all parts of the devastated Northeast.

    He said: “It’s an exploratory discussion and once it comes on stream you will be informed. It’s about restoring the dignity of our people about rebuilding lives, infrastructure, schools, clinic its about giving hope to the hopeless.”

    On how much is being committed to the project, he said: “I do not have the mandate to state, its still in the exploratory case, its not for me to pass judgment on how much is going to be committed but its partnership that will certainly work.

    “The Federal Government, he said, is committed to assisting the zone to rehabilitate educational infrastructures, health infrastructures so that the people can get back on their feet once and for all.”

    On constant bombings in the area, he said: “Well, its not constant per say, if you juxtapose the sorry state of affairs two years ago with the current state of affairs, there is cause for celebration to me personally even these suicide bombings is a sign of weakness on the part of Boko Haram.

    “Two years ago, they were holding unto 22 out of 27 local government areas, they have been sufficiently decimated. I am not under rating their capacity from the state but these are lunatics who basks on the opportunity of publicity to kill and maim so that they can get greater regard in the global Jihadist community.

    “Definitely, we are also coming up with robust response towards addressing this issue of suicide bombing. We have challenges no doubt about it. I am not actually discounting that fact but when you put it in proper contest you will see that a lot has been done, they have been sufficiently decimated so that they can no longer hold on to any territory in the Nigerian federation.”

  • Show no mercy to Boko Haram collaborators, even if they are my children—Borno governor

    Show no mercy to Boko Haram collaborators, even if they are my children—Borno governor

    GOV.Kashim Shettima of Borno on Friday urged security agents to treat without mercy, persons found to have links with the Boko Haram insurgents, even if they were his ‘three biological children.” In a state-wide Radio and Television broadcast to the people of the state, Shettima said those jeopardizing the security of the state and the country at large, must be handled in accordance with the law to serve as deterrent to others.

    “I know that insurgents and their allies often hide their identity so well that good citizens may innocently associate with them. “This is why I strongly say to security agencies that anyone ‘factually’ suspected of despicable links with Boko Haram and other criminals, should face justice, even if that person happens to be one of my three biological children,” he said. He also urged residents of the state to be more vigilant in the wake of reoccurring suicide bombing by the insurgents. “In recent days and weeks, we have come under renewed attacks which horribly remind us that our security challenges are still longing.

    “It is regrettable that this upsurge in cowardly suicide attacks came not long after the patriotic military forces of this country recaptured Sambisa Forest, which used to be the operational zone of the Boko Haram terrorists. “Our gallant military and other security agencies have now denied them the use of their former high command. “However, we must remind ourselves that the recapture of Sambisa Forest and the flushing out of the terrorists from most of their former enclaves, does not mean that our struggle is over,” Shettima said. He therefore urged people of the state not to despair but rise to the challenge of fighting the insurgents for peace to return to the state, just as he paid glowing tribute to some parents who made enormous sacrifices.

    “I have met parents who exposed their insurgent biological children and handed them over to security forces to face justice. “I have met parents who encouraged their children to join the Civilian JTF and risk their lives to fight the insurgents. “I have even met parents who remained contented and proud even after their sons died fighting under the Civilian JTF.” “We must re-mobilise ourselves and step up vigilance and community policing around all our population and community centres like mosques, churches, markets, schools, hospitals, shopping complexes, football fields, social gatherings and motor parks. “We must watch out for strange and suspicious faces, not for the purpose of taking the law into our hands’ but for reporting these suspicious persons to the nearest security agents for prompt action,” he said.

  • Jonathan, Borno Governor meet in Aso Rock

    BORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima, yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Shettima, who was clad in cream-coloured attire and hat to match, declined to speak with State House correspondents on his mission to the Villa. His state has been the stronghold of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has sent many innocent Nigerians to their early graves. One of the latest attacks was recorded at Baga, a border town in Borno State early this week where 185 persons were estimated to have been killed and 2,000 houses razed. The deaths resulted from a clash between soldiers and members of Boko Haram. Some residents of Baga, a town famous for having the largest fish market in Nigeria, alleged that the killings and burning down of houses were perpetrated by soldiers. The incident has attracted both local and international condemnations. While President Jonathan had already ordered the probe of the incident, he has declared that any security official found wanting will face the wrath of the law.