Why Elections Must Hold In North East – Shettima
BEVERLY HILLS, January 29, (THEWILL) – With the ongoing allegations of plots to postpone the February general elections, the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has insisted that the elections must go ahead as scheduled even in the troubled North East.
Explaining why elections must hold in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, Shettima said those calling for postponement of the February elections are ignorant that there is no constitutional provision for a sole administrator should the elections fail to hold in the three states, stressing that in case the elections are postponed, the present administration in the states would be given another six months to continue in office.
Shettima, who made the clarification Thursday in Maiduguri, the state capital, while swearing in the newly appointed special advisers, said it was unfortunate that some Borno indigenes are rooting for the postponement of the elections in the state for political reasons.
According to the governor, “In case election is not held in Borno, Governor Kashim Shettima's government would be extended for six months.”
He said those rooting for the postponement of the elections are political opponents who know that they cannot win in the selections.
Maintaining that “elections were held in Afghanistan, election were held in Somalia, elections were held in Mali, elections were
held in Iraq,” the governor said:” I see no reason elections should not hold in Borno, so elections must hold in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.”
Speaking further, Shettima said: “Borno has over 1,000 years of history, Borno survived Rabeh invasion, survives Maitatsine crisis and will Insha Allah survive Boko Haram insurgency.”
The governor therefore called on the newly- appointed Special Advisers to work closely with the commissioners, caretaker chairmen at local government areas, chairmen of the party at national, state and local levels to ensure the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the elections.