Borno Governor Supports Extension Of Extension Rule

The Nation reports that Borno State Governor,  Kashim Shettima has thrown his weight behind the decision of the Federal Government to extend the emergency rule in Adamawa, Yobe and his home-state of Borno.

Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau

Shettima made the disclosure through his media aide, Mallam Isa Gusau. He however advised the military not to lose focus because of the upcoming elections in 2015, which he  said would be useless if insurgents succeed in running over the state.


He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for seeking the extension of emergency rule in the three states for the fourth time, saying the President meant well.

He said: “The safety of our people and their continued existence are more paramount to us than being in power. I do not have doubts about the sincerity of Mr. President in seeking an extension to make it easier for our security agencies to continue their services to our father land and I think an extension is reasonable in the circumstance we have found ourselves much as it also reasonable to take stock of what previous declarations have achieved.

“No democratic government would wish to have military men roaming its streets with armoured tanks. However, we are very much aware that in most guerrilla warfare, insurgents sometimes dictate the pace because they can disguise and pretend to be friends whereas the security agencies are by their systems known, so they can be identified by citizens.

“I have strong hope that Borno will get out of this situation just I have for the Nigerian State. The problem is however how long it takes and those who suffer while it lasts. This is why we must make common sense sacrifices as leaders, political party members and those in position of influence to help our military and security agencies to remain focused and not to make the slightest attempts of diverting their attention for whatever reason we seek to achieve.

“We must at the end never fail to remember that no matter how long, we would be required to give accounts of how best we managed our influences, whether we blindly limited our thoughts to our individual and group goals or we used our influences for our people who entrusted us with rights to decide their fate. We owe them the right to live.”

It will be recalled that the Borno State Governor recently slammed his predecessor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, over an allegation of fraud levelled against him by the latter.