By Olayemisi Abdul in Maiduguri
Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, has denied having any strained relationship with his deputy governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, whom a section of the state are recently calling for his removal ahead 2015 elections.
Shettima had also cleared the air on the rumoured rift between himself and his political god-father, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, whom he described as a ‘saint’ worthy of ‘eternal loyalty’.
‘I have spoken in several forums that I will always be totally loyal to Governor Ali Sheriff. I will jealously, jealously protect and promote the interest of my boss regardless of whatever anyone feels or thinks. Ali Sheriff can be a devil to you, but he is a saint to me! There is a bond of confidence between myself and Sheriff. Just as there is no rift whatsoever between myself and my dear deputy, who is my best friend and confidant’, Shettima said.
A delegation of politicians led by one Barrister Isa Modu Chulm from Southern Borno Senatorial district where deputy governor Zannah hails, had paid Shettima an emergency visit at the Government House, Maiduguri where they dissociated themselves from publications calling for ‘dumping of the deputy to whom they equally declared their unflinching support.
Governor Shettima said, he had initially opted to discountenance such publications, but later chose to respond when people began to insinuate himself being at daggers drawn with his god-father, Senator Sheriff.
‘I want people to know clearly that I and my deputy are enjoying very healthy relationship; he is still very loyal to me; and I stand behind him 100 percent anytime and any day. If there is a provision in our constitution for a third term, Zannah will remain my deputy governor, and Senator Ali Sheriff remains our boss’, said Shettima.
