Borno Govt: No Division Between Gov. Shettima, SSG Jida

BEVERLY HILLS, September 22, (THEWILL) - The Borno State Governor Monday dismissed the rumour making the round in the state that there was rancour between the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda.

In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Abba Fugu, the state government said there was no truth in the media report that the duo have irreconcilable differences.

Dismissing the rumour, the statement said: “Borno State Government has noted with serious reservation, some media reports in recent days, suggesting that the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, was getting ready to resign from the cabinet over purported disagreement between him and Governor Kashim Shettima.”

Describing the report as baseless, the statement said “some aspects of the Nigerian media have revisited the issue today , Monday, September 22, 2014, hence the need to issue this statement to put the records straight.”

The statement however said: “For the avoidance of any doubt, Governor Kashim Shettima and the Secretary to the Borno State Government have a perfect relationship that is evident to anyone conversant with happenings within the Government.

' There was never an issue of the Governor contemplating the sack of the SSG or the SSG contemplating resignation. We simply do not know the origin of the entire story even though it appears the handiwork of some mischief makers who may be desperate to create an impression that all wasn't well with the Government of Borno State in order to advance whatever political motive that could be in the offing.

“There is very high mutual respect and cordiality between the Governor and the SSG as they assiduously work to better the lives of Borno people through exemplary governance.

“The Government of Borno State is very much intact and it remains focused towards the continued search for peace, progress and development of the State. '

The statement warned the rumour mongers to desist from attempts to “add more problems to that of insurgency already being faced in the State.'

It also called on residents of the State and other Nigerians to disregard any future publication of whatever kind that might be sponsored by those it described as the enemies of the State who are out to cause confusion in the State.