The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kashim Shettima

  • B’ Haram: Borno governor calls for emergency security meeting

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno has summoned what was called “an emergency security meeting” to address the increasing attacks by Boko Haram terrorists in the state.

    “Gov. Kashim Shettima has called for an emergency extraordinary security meeting in Maiduguri to be attended by heads of security establishments, leadership of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, traditional rulers, elders, three senators, 10 members of House of Representatives and 28 members of the State House of Assembly,” said  Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy.

    Read also: 2,000 displaced as Boko Haram intensifies attacks in North East

    He said the meeting will hold on Monday, Dec. 31; at the Government House, Maiduguri.

  • Jonathan’s book: elementary book of tales, says Borno Governor

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima says President Goodluck Jonathan’s new book, My Transition hours’ lunched on Wednesday is an “elementary book of tales that fell short of courage” that will bring out facts to the public.

    According to Gov. Kashim Shettima, President Jonathan cleverly omitted to publish in Chapter four of his book  the report of the presidential  fact-finding committee he constituted in May 2014 which would have unveiled the incontrovertible facts about the April 2014 abduction of the Chibok Girls.

    Gov Shettima who was reacting particularly to Chapter Four of the book titled “The Chibok school girls affair” in the book, “My Transition hours”  explained that  the former President had asserted  that the schoolgirls abduction was a product of conspiracy by the then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in connivance with Borno State Government.

    The Chapter  also accused the Borno Government and then President Barack Obama’s administration in the United States of undermining efforts to rescue the Chibok girls in 2014.

    Governor Shettima through a statement released by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau on Wednesday, added  that Jonathan never believed there was ever an abduction until rescue efforts were late, the “the former President’s elementary book of tales fell short of the courage required of him to publish findings by his own panel in chapter four of his book.

    “The whole of Tuesday night, I took the pains of reading His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s book, My transition hours, from the first to the 177th page. I took particular interest in chapter four (the Chibok school girls affair) which has 42 paragraphs written on pages 27 to 36.

    Read Also: Why I annoited Zulum as my successor- Shettima

    “I was amused that despite ‎admitting in paragraph 15, that he had (in May 2014) constituted a Presidential Fact-Finding Committee under Brigadier General Ibrahim Sabo and many others “to investigate” the Chibok abduction, former President Jonathan refused to mention any part or whole of the findings by that panel which had submitted a highly investigative report submitted to him on Friday, June 20, 2014 after the panel held investigative meetings with the then Chiefs of Defense Staff, Army Staff, Air Staff, the DG, DSS and IGP, met all security heads in Borno, visited Chibok, met with parents of abducted schoolgirls, met surviving students, interrogated officials of the school and the supervising ministry of education, interrogated officials of WAEC and analyzed all correspondences.

    “What has become very clear is that the former President decided to sit on facts in his custody while he published, in an elementary standard, a book of fiction designed to pass gulty verdicts to anyone but himself, with respect to the open failures of his administration to rescue our daughters and in tackling the Boko Haram challenges ” Shettima was quoted by his spokesman.

    Governor Shettima  declared that “by refusing to publish any part of his own panel’s findings on the Chibok abduction, Jonathan’s book was nothing short of a presidential tale by midday”.

    According to the statement, it is on record that; , “on Tuesday, the 6th of May, 2014, President Jonathan had inaugurated multi-agency/stakeholder fact-finding panel under the chairmanship of Brig. General Ibrahim Sabo (rtd), a one-time Director of Military Intelligence and also appointed a secretary from the Niger Delta.

    “President Jonathan single handedly selected all members of that committee which included  his trustees amongst serving and retired security officers from the Army, DSS and Police; representatives of the UN and ECOWAS, representatives of the Chibok community, local and international civil rights organisations, representatives of the National Council on Women Societies, the Nigeria Union of Journalists amongst other persons he trusted.

    “For almost  two months, the probe panel undertook forensic assessment of all documents on the entire issues, held investigative meetings with parents of the schoolgirls during a visit to Chibok. The panel held separate one-on-one investigative meetings with myself, the then Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff, met the then Director General of the DSS and the Inspector General of Police, all of whom were appointees of President Jonathan.

    “The panel interrogated officials of Borno Government including the Commissioner  of Education and the school principal. The panel also held investigative meetings with heads of all security agencies in Borno State including security formations in charge of Chibok. At the end, the panel submitted it’s report directly to President Jonathan on Friday, the 20th of June, 2014 in Abuja. President Jonathan has refused to make public the findings submitted to him.

    “I was expecting the findings in his book but he has deliberately swept that report under the carpet. However, I remember that on June 24, 2014, the ThisDay Newspaper claimed to have obtained a copy of the panel’s report and published as its lead, that painstaking findings by the Presidential panel had indicted the military under Jonathan’s watch and completely absolved the Federal,   Borno State Government of any blame regarding the Chibok abduction. The newspaper went further to say that panel actually commended efforts of the Borno State Government in its commitment to the fight against Boko Haram as testified by heads of security establishments” the statement said.

    Governor Shettima  also observed that President Jonathan’s book has further made him believe that the  former president  still lives with poor understanding of issues under his presidency especially  his  claim on page 31 that Boko Haram wanted a Muslim President rather than him as Christian was laughable since the insurgents actually began their deadliest attacks in Borno under the regime of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, a Muslim  from northern Nigeria.

    “We know for a fact that as vicious cycle of evil, Boko Haram fighters do not care about the religion of their targeted victims. ‎They attack Mosques and churches. They are lunatics who regard anyone who doesn’t share their ideology as an infidel. So, I wonder how the former President didn’t take time to understand the biggest challenge under his presidency” Shettima said.

    Governor Shettima challenged  former President Jonathan to come up with another book that would contain more graphic truth of his presidency  not excluding the Chibok Girls rather than “the fiction he made public on Tuesday”.

  • 1,350 Borno Corps members observe 2018 Batch ‘C’ Orientation in Katsina

    As a  result of growing insecurity in Borno State occasioned by increased attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, the 2018 Batch ‘C’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to serve in the state have been relocated to Katsina State where they began their three-week orientation course.
    Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony at the temporary camp located within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training College in Katsina, the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima noted that their relocation was due to the temporary security situation in his state, urging the corps members to re-dedicate themselves to nation building.
    Shettima, who was represented by the state Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, Mahdi Gazali, however, noted that the state government under his watch was doing everything humanly possible through its programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation to return the state to the path of peace and development.
    He said “The government and good people of Borno State are doing everything humanly possible through our programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation to return the state to the pedestal of peace, security and development it has been known for before the insurgency problem that nearly crippled the socio-economic of the state’’.
    “I therefore wish to assure you of your safety during the three weeks orientation exercise and the service ahead. It behoves you to be part of the problem solving team by expressing your potentials through rendering honest and dedicated services to your host communities’’.

    Read Also: Boko Haram sacks two communities in Borno

    “I urge you to summon courage to come and stay in Borno and you will understand the fact that the security situation of the state is not bad as it is being propagated by some media.”
    Governor Shettima said the NYSC scheme has provided a platform to develop great virtues of discipline, industry and patriotism, adding that as change agents, government believes in the scheme in view of its importance in nation building and selfless service to humanity.
    Speaking earlier, the Borno State NYSC Coordinator Rabiu Aminu said 1,350 corps members were posted to the state and enjoined them to exhibit high level of respect and discipline, adding that the camping period is filled with vigorous activities which need active participation.
    While applauding the state government for providing remedies to the operational challenges confronting the scheme in the state, the state NYSC coordinator tasked the corps members to be security conscious, saying issues of security does not only rest on security personnel alone but all the citizenry.

  • Shettima picks APC senatorial ticket

     Governor Kashim Shettima has picked the senatorial ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to represent Borno Central at the red chambers.
    Shettima scored  a total of 2735 votes as against his closest and only opponent Alhaji Wurge with five votes.
    Chairman of the APC Borno central senatorial electoral committee Ahmed Elmaduzu who declared  the result in Maiduguri on Thursday morning, said  Shettima scored a total of 2,735 to defeat his only rival in the race, Alhaji Wurge with 05 votes.

    Read Also: Shettima dissolves Cabinet

    Governor Shettima in brief acceptance speech shortly after the official declaration, thanked his co-contestants including his supporters for the confidence reposed on him.
    The Nation observed that Sen. Babakaka Garbai, the current senator representing  Borno Central at National Assembly was Gov. Shettima’s agent at the elections.

  • Direct primaries desirable but not practicable in Borno–Shettima

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, says it will be difficult to conduct direct primaries in the state because of its peculiar security situation.

    Shettima, in an interview with State House correspondents in Abuja, said that the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had provisions for direct and indirect primaries.

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of APC recently adopted direct primaries for all elective offices.

    Shettima opined that every state should adopt the option suitable to it based on its peculiarities.

    The governor said that in the U.S from which Nigeria borrowed the presidential system, states of Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey and Illinois conducted closed primaries.

    According to him, states like Alabama, Arizona and some of others in the southern part of the country conducted open primaries.

    “So, we are a nation of diversity; and our diversity should be our source of strength.

    “The constitution of the party provides for direct, indirect and consensus, so there is no cause for alarm; depending on the peculiarities of particular location, they will choose the option that is best for them.

    “Like in Borno, direct primaries is desirable but is not practicable; we have challenges; so why do we have to go the whole hog of imposing an untenable system on our people and main election is coming.’’

    Speaking on the 19 governorship aspirants in the state,  Shettima said that it was the beauty of democracy as the more the merrier.

    Read Also:2019 Senate poll: Tough battles ahead for Shettima, Okorocha, Yari, other 2nd term govs

    He said that there would be a level playing field for people to exercise their rights.

    According to Shettima, it is when people are suppressed from expressing their fundamental rights of choice that problems erupt.

    He said, however, that he was in the Presidential villa for consultation and update on the security situation in his state.

    Shettima said that in juxtaposition with what it was four years ago, there was an improvement in security situation.

    “Being optimists, we believe that things will change for the better in the coming weeks.

    “Four years ago, 22 Local Government Areas were under the occupation of Boko Haram.

    “So, whatever anybody might say, I think we have to give some credit to President Muhammadu Buhari administration for securing the lives and property of the citizens.

    `No doubt, we have challenges; but then you have to think of the past to judge the present in order to forecast the future.

    “There has been remarkable improvement and I believe that if tempo is sustained, we shall have an enduring peace in the region very soon,’’ he said.

  • 2019 Senate poll: Tough battles ahead for Shettima, Okorocha, Yari, other 2nd term govs

    In the next few months, some state governors in their second term will end their tenure and bid bye to exotic villas where they had called the shots for eight years like the Lord of Manor. But Their Excellencies are not tired. They still want to be relevant, they want to remain in the limelight. In the next dispensation, they are eyeing the Senate. In this piece, our Managing Editor, Northern Operations, YUSUF ALLI, examines the battle ahead for the affected governors.

    In the next couple of months, 11 out of the nation’s 36 governors will no longer be eligible to be governors as they would be in office for the mandatory eight years. Those affected are Governors Kashim Shettima( Borno); Ayodele Fayose(Ekiti); Ibrahim Dankwambo(Gombe); Rochas Okorocha(Imo); Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara); Umaru Tanko Al-Makura(Nasarawa); Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Rauf Aregbesola(Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi(Oyo).

    For senators and members of the House of Representatives who became governors, returning to the National Assembly is a familiar turf.  But for those outgoing governors seeking to be senators for the first time , it may be a different ball game. Yes, the constituency is smaller, but the battle is tougher as the variables may also be different.

     

    The situation at present

    In the 109-member of the 8th Senate , 20 are ex-governors. They are the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki,   Theodore Orji (Abia); Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom ); Andy Uba (Anambra); David Mark  (Benue); George Akume (Benue); Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti); Danjuma Goje  (Gombe); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Ibrahim Gaya (Kano); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); Muhammed Lafiagi (Kwara); Abdullahi Adamu  (Nasarawa); Jonah Jang  (Plateau); Aliyu Wammako  (Sokoto); Bukar Abba Ibrahim  (Yobe); Danladi Abubakar Sani (Taraba); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); and Ahmed Sanni Yerima (Zamfara).

    A report by a newspaper had indicated that out of the former governors, Senators Andy Uba, Abiodun Olujimi, and Theodore Orji have sponsored an appreciable number of bills.

     

    Saraki stood tall among them having learned the legislative tricks enough to win the much prized seat of the President of the Senate. Many of them are bench warmers because the transition from executive mansions to hallowed chambers is a Herculean task for them.

     

    What are the chances of the 10 governors eyeing the 9th senate?

    Investigation by our correspondent indicated that political realities in the affected states have shown that it won’t be a tea-party for most of them. The challenges before the governors , among others, include clamour  for power shift, ethnicism, disdain for godfatherism.

     

    Shettima(Borno)

    Ordinarily with his modest achievements in office in the midst of insurgency, Governor Kashim Shettima should have an easy ride to the 9th Senate but he faces some hurdles, the latest being where he hails from in Borno. He is either expected to contest for the senatorial seat in Borno Central District (the platform he used to be governor) or Borno North District where bitter politics in the state has led to the discovery of his real origin. Whatever it is, he will slug it out with Sen. Kaka Garbai (from Borno Central who may not relinquish his slot without a viable alternative like the governorship ticket) and Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North. Shettima, widely seen as a “central  boy, ” requires much of serious political calculation and negotiation before taking a leap for the Senate. The governor’s major headache is how to rehabilitate Garbai in a commensurate measure.

    A source , familiar with the state’s politics, said: “Kashim Shettima was born in Maiduguri, located in Borno Central. His mother is from the central, but his father is a Mallam from Ngazai in Borno North Senatorial District. His associates had mooted the idea that he runs for the seat from the North.  But sensing the danger, especially because Kyari, the incumbent, is very popular and formidable, the idea was dropped. To displace Kyari from the Senate would mean to hand him the governorship ticket.

    “So at it is, his posters are everywhere for Borno Central Senatorial District. For now, it is certain he will run from the central. The incumbent, Garbai, is his friend. Without Shettima’s prompting, Garbai would not have run in the first place when the seat became vacant shortly before the inauguration of the Senate in 2015. Hon. Umar Kumalia had wanted to run then ; he, however, gave way when it became obvious that the governor preferred Garbai, who incidentally is Kumalia’s friend too.

    “For now, apart from Shettima, no one has shown interest in the seat within the APC. And even with the PDP, no visible aspirants for now. But should the Abuja politicians within the APC decide to move against Shettima, getting someone to run against him within the party won’t be too difficult.

    “For the north, the only strong person from PDP who can challenge the APC candidate is Sen. Sanusi Daggash (a former Minister of National Planning). But Daggash has been on the quiet side politically in recent times.”

     

    Al- Makura(Nasarawa)

    Were it constitutionally possible to have a third term in office, the people of Nasarawa State would have allowed Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura to continue . But the reality has dawned on everyone; the governor has to leave the Executive Lounge for a shot at the Nasarawa South Senatorial District seat. He will be on the turf against the incumbent Senator from the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe( a third term Senator); a PDP member representing Keana/Doma/Awe in the House of Representatives, Ogoshi Onawo; and Husseini Egyegbola of the APC, who was elected as a senator in 2015 before the Election Petitions Tribunal upturned his victory.

    Getting APC ticket by Al-Makura is taken for granted. But he has an ethnic barrier at hand and he has to work very  hard to sell his candidature .  There are five local governments in Nasarawa South Senatorial District namely; Doma, Lafia , Awe, Keana and Obi. The district also harbours about 20 ethnic groups which are contending for power, including Fulani, Tiv, Kanuri, Mighili, Gwandara and Alago among others.  Governor Al-Makura comes from Kwandere in Lafia Local Government Area. He is a Gwandara by tribe, which is  a minority in Lafia LGA and the Senatorial District.  According to findings, three of the local governments areas(Doma, Keana, and Obi ), are controlled by Alago tribe  of Sen. Adokwe, Onawo and Egyegbola.

    The battle is basically between Alago ( where late Governor Akwe Doma hailed from  ) and other ethnic groups in the district. It was only in 1999 that the Alago allowed the late Haruna Abubakar(a Kanuri), who was a  Deputy Senate President to late Chuba Okadigbo, to  represent the district.

    For Al-Makura, history beckons on him to break another electoral jinx again in the state as a minority. His God-fearing, good and fair-minded nature has fetched him a rare political goodwill like the case in 2011 when he became a governor as a minority. If he gets his political strategy right, he might secure the Senatorial ticket. Once Al-Makura can secure the huge votes from Lafia Local Government Area(LGA) and about 5% to 10% in other four LGAs, he will ride to the Senate with less sweat. The huge votes from Lafia, Keffi and Nasarawa Eggon crowned him as a governor seven years ago.  And he can defeat his opponent in a landslide if he retains his cosmopolitan look and make his campaign issues-based rather than playing ethnic politics. Surely, all eyes will be on Al-Makura if he secures the APC ticket.

     

    Ahmed(Kwara)

    Will the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, compensate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his loyalty? As the outgoing governor of Kwara State, Ahmed’s ultimate desire is to be a senator for Kwara South Senatorial District. He is seeking the ticket currently held by Senator Abdulrafiu Ibrahim, who has been a long standing loyalist of Saraki. It is a hard knot for Saraki to untie but if performance is anything to go by, Sen. Ibrahim has a little edge over Ahmed, who has spent eight years to create political liability for Saraki due to his low performance in office. Saraki is battling to clean the Augean Stable at a higher cost to his political career. But going by the PDP’s Right of First Refusal for defectors, the ticket will automatically go to Ahmed leaving Ibrahim in a quandary.

    Whoever is anointed by Saraki will face a tough contest with a renowned architect, Lola Ashiru, whose ingenuity led to the design of Skye Bank structures all over the country and other architectural works. Ashiru, who is from Offa , which has not produced a senator  since 1999, has the war-chest to give Ibrahim or  Ahmed a good fight. The last time Offa produced a senator was during the aborted Third Republic.

    Another silent contestant is the US-based Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun from Esie in Irepodun Local Government Area, who is determined to prove a point that a first timer can make a difference. Apart from palace rivalry in Saraki’s courtyard, Governor Ahmed has the people of Kwara South to contend with. They are enlightened, conscientious and detest money politics. The governor has to sell himself  for any electoral breakthrough. The Kwara south PDP senatorial primaries will be an interesting race

     

    Ajimobi(Oyo)

    It is a straight fight between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other aspirants for Oyo South Senatorial District ticket. Despite the recent electoral upset for APC in Ibarapa East Constituency in Oyo  House of Assembly, which it lost to the Peoples Democratic Party, Ajimobi may regain  his seat without sweat. Up till now, he has not known his opponent in either the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or any of the emerging coalitions in the state. But he has an opponent in APC, Sen. Soji Akanbi, who might not get the party’s ticket because Ajimobi has a firm grip on the structure of the party. Where Akanbi is not “well accommodated”, he might seek refuge in another party. So far, Akanbi is keeping his game plan close to his chest.  A former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan, said: “The governor will defeat any party’s candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District. He has performed well to earn a return ticket to the Senate.” The district comprises Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North East, Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East,  and Ido.

     

    Fayose(Ekiti)

    Still struggling to survive the pains of the defeat of his political godson at the recent governorship poll, Governor Ayodele Fayose faces an uncertain political future. He has spoken less of either his presidential ambition or the alternative of going to the Senate. His obvious choice is to vie for  Ekiti Central District Senatorial ticket with Sen. Fatima Raji Rasaki. But it will be a disaster and the end of the road for Fayose if he loses again. While he is considering the next step in his turbulent political career, his associate, Obafemi Adewale(a former chairman of NBA in Ekiti State), is aspiring for Ekiti Central District ticket. Whether or not the aspiration of Adewale is in trust for Fayose, time will soon tell.

     

    Rochas Okorocha(Imo)

    Owelle Rochas Okorocha,  no doubt, is facing a massive gang-up in the state by forces within APC and those in PDP over alleged plans to foist his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the governorship candidate of APC in the state. He wants to make it a double-edge sword by aspiring for the senatorial ticket of Imo West Senatorial District. He wants to take over the seat of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who is interested in the governorship race. In February, Okorocha said: “I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zone because if I don’t, bad people will take the position. If my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for the Senate, it will boost APC’s chances in the state. And many from my zone have said they will not contest if I am interested.” But he has a match in a  business mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State, Chief Charles Ahize and others who seek the same office.

    Noted for a refrain, “My people, my people,” it will soon be judgment day for Okorocha when the Imo citizens will decide whether Okorocha can eat his cake and have it. If Okorocha has his way, he would be highlighted  in the Guinness Book of Records but if otherwise, history will be unkind to him forever.

     

    Yari(Zamfara)

    The battle in Zamfara West Senatorial District will depend on the outcome of any accord or unwritten agreement between Governor Abdulaziz Yari and his godfather, Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was an ex-governor of the state. Yerima, who has been in the Senate since 2007, is in dire straits because he wants to produce Yari’s successor and at the same time retain his senatorial slot. But the governor, who was once a member of the House of Representatives, is interested in going to the Senate. He is from the same zone with Yerima. It was learnt that Yerima would not mind  sacrificing his senatorial ambition to be allowed to pick the next governorship candidate of APC (Yari’s successor) in Zamfara State. Yerima is said to be interested in the current Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, who was his former Commissioner for Religious Affairs. The deputy governor comes from Zamfara Central, which has never produced the executive of the state since the return of democracy in 1999. On the other hand, it was learnt that Yari favours  his most powerful Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muttaka Rini, who is from Zamfara West. Unless tact and diplomacy prevail, Yari and Yerima may lock horns  in the end. But a source said: “Whatever it is, Yerima still holds the ace in Zamfara politics. Yari needs to engage in a lot of reconciliation to win back the hearts of the people of the state.” It will be interesting to know in the next few weeks what manner of accord the two gladiators will reach.

     

    Gaidam  (Yobe)

    This is a slippery terrain.  Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and his godfather, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim have to test the waters over Yobe East Senatorial District ticket.  Although one Dr. Almajiri Gaidam is also interested in the senatorial race, the contest is really between the governor and his mentor. For Governor Gaidam, the next venture is the Senate but he is from the same district with Ibrahim who has been in the Senate since 2007. There are seven local governments in the district, including Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Geidam and Bursari. While Sen. Bukar Abba  hails from Gujba, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is from Yunusari, although he was brought up in Gaidam.

    The power game has been  a quiet political war in Yobe State since 1999; the struggle for Yobe North East by the two titans might redefine politics in the state if not maturely handled. Old prejudices/ sentiments  are being whipped up. For Gaidam, he had wanted to be a senator in 2003  after the demise of Senator  Adamu Usman  of the defunct ANPP but he was denied the ticket by Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was then the governor of the state. Sen. Abba was said to have rated Gaidam as unfit to be a councillor. This time around the governor, who has hijacked the structure of the party,  does not want to suffer fools gladly.

    His godfather will also not let go his seat. Recently, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim said: “In sha Allah,  I will be seeking re-election back to the Senate in the forthcoming election and I do not see anybody as a threat.

    “ I have no problems with my constituency and the electorate. I have not been recalled by those who voted me to represent them and I am physically and mentality fit. All I know is that by 2019, I will be re-elected back to the Senate.

    “The governor has not told me that he is interested in the seat after the expiration of his tenure next year and I don’t need to bother myself about it since I know that there would be no vacancy because I am re-contesting for the position next year and I will continue to offer myself to my people for the position as long as I have the energy and sound health to represent them.

    “I will stay in the Senate until death do us part. Everybody tells me that I’m senator for life. I’m going to be in the Senate for life…”

    On his part while planning subtly, Gaidam said: “My becoming governor is not by my power or the making of any other human being. It’s destiny because somebody said I would not even be a councillor in Yobe. Today, God has made me the governor, who knows where I will be tomorrow?”

     

    Amosun(Ogun)

    The man to beat for Ogun Central District seat is Governor Ibikunle Amosun, whose performance might give him an edge. With the party’s structure in his kitty, Amosun,  who was a one-time senator,  already has the senatorial ticket in his pocket. But he will have to slug it out with his godson, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso(who may defect to ADC), Sen. Gbenga Obadara, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kayode Amusan(PDP)  and a former commissioner in the state, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu (PDP). Obadara has, however, added a caveat to his aspiration when he said he night step down if Amosun is interested in the race.

    Although the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, is being speculated to be interested in the senatorial seat, it was unclear if he is serious or merely flying a kite.

     

    Dankwambo(Gombe)

    The purchase of governorship nomination form by ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Bayero Nafada on Friday has confirmed a swap deal between Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo for Gombe North Senatorial District, if the governor does not get the presidential ticket of PDP. Nafada, who represents Gombe North District, has left the Senate for good. It is a different ball game if Dankwambo will keep to the secret pact with Nafada by ensuring that the former  Deputy Speaker emerges his successor.

    For Dankwambo, who  has been accused of using his presidential aspiration as a smokescreen, the battle for Gombe North District might be between him and Sen. Saidu Ahmed Alkali, who was  elected as a PDP Senator  in August 2010  after the death of Sen. Kawu Peto Dukku. He was also re-elected in the April 2011general poll. Alkali was a former Commissioner for Information under ex-Governor Danjuma Goje.

  • Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima says the destruction on Alau dam close to Maiduguri has nothing to do with any Boko Haram attack or sabotage.

    On his official Facebook and Twitter handles he said he took an inspection visits to villages of Alau and Wadai to get first hand information of what happened at the water facility.

    According to the post, his finding which was conducted in company of the GOC 7 Div, Nigeria Army Maiduguri revealed that one of the three dykes of the dam was washed away leaving only two functional.

    The findings also established that the damage was caused as a result of lack of maintenance of the facility over a long period of time.

    The Twitter and Facebook reads in full:

    Governor Kashim Shettima earlier today was in Alau and Wadia village to ascertain what happened as a result of high speculations that the armed insurgents might be responsible for destructions at Alau dam.

    One of the three dykes of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno state has been washed away, leaving only two functional.

    Villagers raised the alarm last night when unusual flooding occured, with high speculations that the armed militants might be responsible for the damage.

    It was however established after a guided tour by the State Governor Kashim Shettima, the GOC Division, and other government officials that the damage was caused by a lack of maintenance.

    Engineer Babagana Yuroma, Executive Director, Engineering Chad Basin Development Authority said the activities of the insurgents around Alau village has made it impossible for maintenance to be carried out on the dykes hence the sudden lapse.

    Governor Shettima explained that contrary to speculations of insurgents destroying the embankments, it was due to lack of maintenance, assuring that the management of the Chad Basin authority and Ministry of Water Resources will immediately swing into action for repairs and remedial actions.

    “Our findings reveal that one of the embankments got washed away, embankments that require regular maintenance; contrary to speculations in the town that the insurgents attacked one of the dykes, No. The GOC was there early this morning, he accessed it and he has pictures of what happened at that particular embankment and in partnership with the Chad basin and rural basin authority we are here with the management, we are going to take remedial measures to address the situation.

    Ten days ago they opened some of the dykes to decongest the dam to deflate the water level so I believe there is no cause for alarm once the issue of the embankment is adressed; and we are going to do so immediately we are going to support the management of the Chad basin and the GOC has promised to give robust security back up for them to carry out the remedial work.” he said.

    In 1994, persistent rain fall had bursted the dam which led to flood in many towns in northeast Nigeria and nearby Cameroon republic.

    The dam is barely twenty kilometres to Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state.

    https://twitter.com/GovBorno/status/1031298734800494592?s=19

    Meanwhile, NEMA yesterday alleged that the destruction may be an act of sabotage by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The North East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Bashir idris Garga said the official Facebook page of the agency said:

    “Following a distressed call on alleged vandalization of one of the Alau dam pipe, an emergency response team which comprises NEMA and SEMA embarked on an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the situation. though the ERT could not gain access to where the incident occured.

    “Based on the information gathered on the field, it was one of the dyke close to one of the deserted communities, Bale kayamla, that was washed away creating no threat to other communities.

    “The Alau Dam bursts is suspected to be the handiwork of sabotage by insurgents as they were suspected to have destroyed the embarkments meant to control the over flow.

    “Members of communities in the area have been urged to be vigilant and be on alert”.

  • UN says global conflicts has displace 65 Million People

    …26, 000 killed in the Northeast Nigeria

    The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon on Friday said global conflicts and violence have caused the displacement of 65 million people, just as he informed that over 26,000 people have been killed in Northeast Nigeria.

    Kallon disclosed this in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital at a courtesy visit to Gov. Kashim Shettima to mark World Humanitarian Day (WHD) at the Government House.

    The WHD he said was set aside by the United Nations to express solidarity with people affected by humanitarian crises and pay tribute to workers that helped victims of conflict and violence.

    His words: “This year’s commemoration marks the 15th Anniversary since the attack on the United Nations in Baghdad, Iraq in which 22 of our colleagues were killed.

    “Since that tragedy, which led to this day’s designation as WHD; over 4,000 humanitarians aid workers have been killed, injured, detained or kidnapped.”

    He noted that global conflicts, including Boko Haram insurgency in

    Northeast Nigeria kills an average of 300 people each year, adding that, “Globally, conflicts are forcing record numbers of people from their homes, with the displacement of over 65 million.

    “Children are recruited by armed groups and used to fight, while women are also abused and humiliated.”

    Mr. Kallon regretted that in as much as  humanitarian workers deliver aid , medical supplies and sucor  for those in need, they are however;  either targeted or treated as threats.

    He said in Northeast region, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict that leding to widespread forced displacement, abuse and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law including sexual and gender-based violence on a daily basis.

    Mr. Kallon also condemned the abduction of thousands of women and girls just as children continue to be used on regular basis as so called “suicide” bombers.

    Continuing, he added: “Thousands of families have been forced to flee their villages and communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

    Read Also: 68.5m people displaced globally – UNHCR

    “Aid and medical workers, who care for people affected by the violence, suffer the consequences of insecurity.”

    Speaking on conflict’s abduction and death tolls, Kallon said: “Three aid workers were killed and three abducted in March this year in Rann; an aid worker was killed in Ngala in May. A member of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was killed in Damasak just last week.”

    While condemning the killings and abduction of aid workers, he urged the parties to the conflict to enable the work of humanitarian workers free from undue threats and loss of lives.

    According to him, “This will facilitate their access to people in need, and in line with International Humanitarian Law”.

    The UN chief called on the immediate and unconditional release of the aid workers, who have been abducted.

    “I call on Nigerian leaders to do everything in their power to protect the people caught up in conflict,” adding that those who are concerned are to join the UN at worldhumanitarianday.org to show that civilians are #NotATarget.

    “Together, we stand with the Government of Nigeria, in solidarity with civilians in conflict, and with the humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help them”, he said.

    Governor Kashim Shettima in a short remark said that 1.5 million people have been displaced due to the Boko Haram crisis in the last nine years.

    Governor Shettima also informed that out of the figure of the displaced people , 164,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their liberated communities in Mobbar, Dikwa, Gwoza, Ngala, Konduga, Bama, Damboa, Mafa and Askira/Uba councils.

    He however regretted that Abadam and Marte council areas are not secured enough for IDPs return to their communities because they are still vulnerable to Boko elements that were recently pushed by the military drom the Lake Chad Basin.

    Governor Shettima was however optimistic that the situation will be better soon.

  • Boko Haram decimation: There is cause for celebration – Shettima

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima on Tuesday said that there is cause to celebrate Army Day billed for the state at the weekend.

    According to him, comparing the security situation in the state four years ago and now makes it necessary to celebrate the victories of the Federal forces against the insurgents.

    Read Also:I can make Shekau, others surrender: Ex-Boko Haram commander

    He spoke with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the meeting was on the upcoming presidential visit to the state and the Army Day celebration.

    He said “Well, the ongoing insurgency problem is largely over, we might be having some hiccups but when you compared the past with the present, we have every cause to celebrate.

    “We have pockets of the insurgents in inlands around the Lake Chad and the Sambisa forest but when you juxtapose the sorry state of affairs three, four years ago and the current situation we are in, I think there is cause for celebration. There is no cause for alarm,” he stated.

  • No part of Borno is under Boko Haram Occupation – Shettima Insists

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has again  insisted that no part of his state is no longer  under siege by Boko Haram insurgents.

    According to him, those peddling such news are enemies of the State who are bent on thwarting the progress of the State.

    The governor however admitted that the insurgents still pose a danger to innocent citizens of the State as they go about attacking soft targets in desperation, adding that the military should be commended for degrading the capacity of the insurgents and restoring peace to the State and the northeast in general.

    Gov. Shettima who played host to the  the newly appointed Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu at a courtesy visit at the Government House, Maiduguri regretted that Borno opposition leaders and politicians who fled at the heat of the crisis are the purvayors of the clandestine campaign against the state.

    His words; ” As Chief Security Officer in Borno state, I am grateful to President Mohammed Buhari, the Military, Security agencies, Stakeholders and people of the state for their sustained effort towards the fight against Boko Haram.

    “In the last four years, our major highways that link us with other parts of the country and the entire state was under siege, but we are proud of our President and the Nigerian Army for bringing sanity and peace to our dear state.

    ” I am personally saddened by some Borno Oppositions/ Politicians who have relocated to Abuja, Lagos and other places during the peak of the insurgency and be making unnecessary noise regarding the calamities that befell us.

    Read Also: Borno clamps down on sex workers, others, arrest 62

    “Instead of them to Pray while they relocated, they were busy raising unnecessary critics on us as government, but thank God that all their bad plans against this government end up hitting the rock.

    “As government, our doors will always remain open for military to fraternize and see how we continue give our maximum support and cooperation to end Boko Haram Madness in our dear state.” Shettima stated.

    He called on the new GOC   as a  son of the soil with a good  knowledge on the nooks and crannies of the state, troops under his watch will consolidate on the remarkable achievements of his predecessors  to end the lingering crisis.

    On his part, the new GOC said, he was at the Government House to officially register his presence alongside his lieutenants.

    General Biu said, “I am here for three issues, first is to thank your Excellency for the support you have been providing in the business of security, present myself to you and the people of the state on my preparedness to rapidly achieve the much desired peace we are all reigning for, and to seek for your sustainable effort in supporting the military.

    “I came with an open mind, ready to contribute beyond the call of my duty, Under my watch, we will continue to respect the rules of engagement so that the rights of the people will not be truncated by our sacrificial troops, as we collectively team up to end Boko Haram”. Biu said.