Cabal Undermining War Against Boko Haram – Shettima
By Suleiman Bello
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on Tuesday raised alarm over the activities of an unnamed political cabal, which he alleged was undermining the war against terrorism in the North-East state.
The governor in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Bello Gusau, specifically accused the cabal of working hard to destroy the existing harmonious relationship between him, the Presidency and the security services, especially the military.
The statement accused the unnamed members of the cabal of top politicians from the state of trying to drag the military into politics and undermining the joint efforts to combat terrorism in the troubled state.
It added that the cabal was at the same time trying to use the media to destroy the harmonious working relationship between the state and the Presidency.
“The cabal, made up of some discontented politicians, some serving and former leaders, has a single agenda which is to create problems between the Presidency, military and the Borno State Government in order to dubiously secure the political blessings of the Presidency and top ranks of the military with a view to seizing control of the military, the police force and State Security Service, divert the security’s attention away from counter insurgency, drag them into politics, destabilise the polity and use security agencies in furthering their political ambitions ahead of the 2015 elections”. It stated.
The statement also accused the cabal of deploying all possible means, including publishing falsehoods and spreading same on the social media, to accuse the state government of so many wrongdoings, including unimaginable financial misappropriation.
Shetima said the speculations making the rounds that he had vowed to undermine President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid was part of the plot to drive a wedge between him and the President.
The statement while dissociating the governor from a Facebook account, bearing the name and picture of Governor Shettima explained that the group went as far as publishing a false interview with a certain Boko Haram suspect, who allegedly named Shettima as a major sponsor of the Boko Haram sect and beneficiary of its violent activities.
“He (Shettima) feels that 2015 is in the hands of God. He is particularly concerned about the deaths of citizens in Borno State and the need for synergy between the state and federal establishments to sustain a coordinated fight against insurgency so as to secure precious human lives and property”, it added.
