Elections will hold in Borno-Shettima

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno on Thursday condemned the agitation for the postponement of the forthcoming general elections in the state and expressed optimism that the polls will hold as scheduled.

Governor Shettima gave the indication while swearing the newly appointed 50 special advisers and seven honorary special advisers at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor argued that Borno is safe for elections and that those calling for the postponement were only dreaming.

“I wish to say without fears of contradiction that elections will hold in Borno .We shall hold election in the state by the grace of God,’’ Shettima said. If election can hold in Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, and other volatile countries. I see no reason why it cannot hold in the state.

Those calling for the postponement are doing so because they are afraid of facing the electorate”, he declared.

Shettima said those anticipating the appointment of sole administrator in the state in the event the elections are shifted were just dreaming and should have a re-think.

“Those calling for the appointment of a military sole administrator to head the state are only dreaming as the 1999 Constitution does not make provision for the appointment of a sole administrator.

The worst that can happen is to extend our tenure rather that appoint a sole administrator to run the state,’’ he further added.