No Rift With Modu Sheriff, Says Shettima

SAN FRANCISCO, April 06, (THEWILL) - Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said on Sunday that there was no rift between him and his predecessor, Senator Alli Modu Sherrif as being insinuated in the state.

Shettima stated this against the backdrop of Friday's sacking of a commissioner and three Senior Special Advisers believed to be loyal to Shettima's political godfather.

The governor, who stated this while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Maiduguri, the state capital,described the former governor as a father to all.

He maintained that he had no problems whatsoever with Sherrif,urging rumour mongers to desist from peddling falsehood.

The governor said he and Sheriff are friends, working towards the progress of the party.

"Power comes from God and he decides to give to whom he feels.

I am not the best in the state, no matter the classification and there are people that are better than me,"the governor said, stressing that he wouldn't be in power forever.

"You will spend more years out of power than in power, at most I will spend eight years in office," and will be just over 50 years but I pray to live to an old age.

On the preparation for the ward congress expected to hold on Tuesday, Shettima said "We (APC) are one big family, let there be fairness at the congress.

We are a success story, let us not allow for failure, the PDP is waiting in the wing and will capitalise on our mistakes to push us out.

"We should do everything to succeed and continue to be a success story.

We should not allow anyone to say of us that we are the ruling party in the state and we cannot organise our congress.

" The Interim Chairman of the party in the state, Senator Kaka Mallam Yale had earlier noted that with the large turnout and the calibre of people at the meeting, the party will get massive support.

He advised that the support shown to the party so far must translate to success at the polls.

On the resheduled ward congresses, he assured the chieftain of the party of cooperation, saying "We will cooperate fully with them to ensure the success of this exercise.

" His assurance came as the Chairman of the state congress committee, Hon.

Farouk Adamu Aliyu,said "We came here to work with you for the interest of the party.

We shall make sure we go through consensus.
Where we do not have consensus we shall hold election and it is hoped the loser will accept his or her defeat.

" Explaining why the congress earlier scheduled for last Saturday had to be shifted to Tuesday, he said "Materials were given to us on Friday and they got to Borno on Saturday.

" He advised that since the banks will be opened on Monday,"anybody interested in contesting should go and pay at the bank for their forms.

" He stated further that "on Tuesday, consensus candidates will be announced where we have and if we do not have, election will hold.

"