APC, Shettima Mourn Late Emir of Gwoza as his Remains are Laid to rest
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, of Gwoza, Alhaji Shehu Mustapha Idrisa Timta, by suspected Boko Haram gunmen, calling it a confirmation that the terror group is the enemy of the entire country.
The party revealed this In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,saying the atrocious killing of the Emir is the clearest indication yet that the Jonathan administration has misdiagnosed the Boko Haram menace from the onset.
”Boko Haram is not a northern response to a southern presidency, as some would have us believe. Boko Haram is an enemy of Nigeria; whether Christians or Muslims, southerners or northerners, the lowly or the elite, the young or the old, the poor and the rich. They must be seen for what they are: fringe elements who happen to have linked up with other terror groups around the world to acquire training and weapons which they are now using to terrorize a whole nation.
”That Emirs, who are Muslims and symbols of power in the north, can be so dastardly attacked, with deadly consequences, should convince those who would rather engage in blame game than fight the bandits that what the country faces is neither a strictly religious nor elite war, and make them to change their jaundiced mindset.
”If indeed Boko Haram was sponsored by the so-called northern elites against Jonathan, how come they are not even sparing the same elites? If indeed Boko Haram is sponsored by the north against Jonathan, why are their deadly attacks concentrated in the north, where they have killed thousands and destroyed facilities and infrastructure worth billions?
”Let us all see Boko Haram for what it is, and come together as a people to fight the insurgents, rather than engage in denial, blame game and finger pointing that can only weaken our resolve as a nation to tackle this fringe group squarely,” APC said.
The remains of the Emir were laid to rest yesterday in his domain amidst eulogies and tears but None of his colleagues from the region and even from the state was able to attend the burial as a result of the unpredictable security situation on the way to and around Gwoza town.
Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who was accompanied by his deputy, Zanna Mustapha and Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume, who is from Gwoza, were the highest public officials at the burial of the slain Emir.
The Governor and his entourage departed the state capital, Maiduguri, amidst tight security circle, which included a combined force of about 150 soldiers of the 7 Division, Maiduguri, the police special squad and the Civilian JTF, who actually led the entourage through the 135km deserted Maiduguri-Bama road.
Aside the presence of local vigilante personnel, who were seen in couple of places manning the road, a Nigeria Air Force fighter jet was also deployed to provide aerial support for the governor’s motorcade until they finally got to Gwoza.
The governor’s convoy reportedly arrived Gwoza about 1pm after which he drove to the palace and immediately took part in the funeral rites of the monarch which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd, led by the chief imam of Gwoza, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Bamanga.
The Governor battled to control his emotions as he read a tribute to the deceased monarch and condolences, described late Shehu Idrissa Timta as “a man who spent the better part of his reign preaching peace and tolerance”.
“This is not a day for long speeches; it is a day of mourning of our late father and monarch. May Allah give us yet another monarch that will love his people in the manner the late Shehu Idrissa Timta did; in his lifetime, he was being eulogized as one king that can keep a venomous viper in his pocket, because of his superlative love for peace and tolerance; he was known as a monarch who never showed discrepancy whether of religion or tribe.
“The late Emir has lived an exemplary life; he was a paragon of everything that is good in a leader. Those that assassinated him may have done their worst, but they should know that, as they would continue to wallow in their tormented guilt, the Emir is being celebrated to have died on a Friday, which in accordance with the Islamic belief is a day of blessing for any one that dies naturally, talk more of one whose life was brutally taken by another person on that blessed day.
“We pray that, in the next seven days when the next Emir of Gwoza will emerge, we shall have yet another Emir that will even be celebrated more than the late Shehu Idrissa Timta.
“We are in difficult times, we are challenged by insecurity, but what is very sure is that we will not remain in this condition for ever, because everything in life is a passing phase”.
The late Emir is survived by his mother, four wives, 28 children, 14 grandchildren and 14 siblings.
