Election 2015: Shettima threatens Emirs

For daring to grant audience to opposition political parties, all first class emirs in Borno state risk loosing their seats, as Governor Kashim Shettima has vowed to sanction all traditional rulers who refuse to support the APC. Speaking at the palace of the emir of Shani, Alhaji Nasiru Shettima Mailafiya on Friday, the Governor frowned at a situation where emirs grant audience to opposition political parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Muhammad Imam and former Governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who were given a heroes welcome in the area recently. Gov Shettima told the emir that he will derive any traditional ruler who hobnobs with the opposition as his re-election bid is a do or die affair, and he will not take lightly to any act of sabotage, especially from the traditional institution. He queried the emir of Shani for receiving the PDP campaign team in his palace, during it’s recent campaign tour of the area, stressing that the emir should bear in mind that he has the powers to do or undo. Shettima was apparently irked by the cold reception he received in the area, which he attributed to the emirs show of sympathy for the PDP. But the emir, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Nairu Shettima Mailafiya did not take the threat lying low, as he told Governor Shettima to his face that as a father, he is under obligation to receive into his palace all manner of people, including people of different political persuasions. He maintained that he has no sympathy for any political party, but is merely living up to his oath of office by being fair and just to all peole, stressing that the traditional institution should not be dragged into unnecessary political controversies, hence his open door policy. Alhaji Nasiru reminded Governor Shettima that part of his charges upon him during the presentation of his staff of office was to carry everybody along and to be fair and just in his dealings with people. The Governor who departed Shani in annoyance was said to have leff, and is expected to arrive Biu, to yet another hostile reception. Governos Kashim Shettima has not been finding it easy during his tour of the southern part of Borno state as he is being booed or pelted in most places he visited, as the people acused him of being behind the security challenges in the state and failing to fulfill his promises.