2015 Tears Borno ANPP Apart
Borno state deputy governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha has threatens to deal decisively with the Commissioner of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa over the commissioner's ambition to wrestle position of the deputy governorship in 2015
The duo that practically attacked each other at the governor's office in Maiduguri Government House on Thursday, have been having series of problem with each other, including their supporters mostly in public functions in the state.
Both are from Southern part of the state where the position of the Deputy Governorship is zoned since the inception of the Democratic dispensation. Durkwa our Correspondent learnt is an influential member of the ruling ANPP not only in his Local Government, Hawul, but in almost all the council areas of the state. But Zanna who is the current Deputy came from the back-door, as he was in PDP before being co-opted into the ruling party by the influence of the former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and the former PDP gubernatorial candidate of the state, Alhaji Kashim Imam who supported the ruling ANPP during the 2011general elections in the state.
The recent episode/drama took place at the Multipurpose Hall, Government House on Monday this week during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Caretaker Chairmen of the 27 Council area, where Governor Kashim Shettima called the Commissioner, Durkwa to come to the high table to explain things for him, before the multiple youth who attended the function started hailing Durkwa saying “ Our Deputy Governor come 2015” which led to the disruption of the programme for over 10 minutes before the Governor immediately ordered Durkwa to go back to his seat.
Allthough, the Deputy Governor, Zanna was absent during the swearing in, as he was out of the state for an official assignment, our Correspondent gathered that when the Deputy arrived the state on Wednesday and was informed on the development met with Durkwa at the Governor's office on Thursday and started accusing Durkwa to stop parading himself as an aspirant of the Deputy Governorhip of the state come 2015.
A source close to the state government said, “ the Deputy governor had practically threatened the life of the Commissioner if he continue to nurse for the Deputy Governorship ambition come 2015, but it was the quick intervention of Governor Kashim Shettima and some of his Kitchen Cabinet who ordered Commissioner Durkwa to leave for peace to prevail.
It was gathered that, many youth in the state are not happy over the quality of leadership being carried out by the Deputy Governor, Zanna, as they alleged that he was not only harsh and self-centered, but very stingy and easily abuse people and his party supporters anytime they came to present their problems to him, unlike Commissioner Durkwa, whom the youth described him as “The Man of the poor masses” who eats, drink and share joy with all people irrespective of tribe, religious or social background.
It was also gathered that on several forum/fora, youth in the state have described Durkwa as a Man with open –hand who shares whatever little he has with his people, and would not mind to do so at anytime when contacted. Faulting the Deputy Governor of not carrying everybody along, apart from his family members.
Due to the Communication breakdown in the state for the past one month, both the embattle Deputy Governor and the Commissioner could not be reached for confirmation as at the time of going to press.