Shettima to Sheriff: You’re most corrupt ex-gov in Nigeria

From Mustapha Isah, Kwaru, Maiduguri

Media aide to Governor Kashim Shettima, Malam Isa Gusau has described as “irony, laughable and absurd” allegations made Ex-Governor Ali Modu Sheriff accusing his successor’s administration of corruption.

Gusau was reacting to Sheriff’s claim published by Newspapers yesterday following a press briefing by the former Governor in Maiduguri.

“I think of all Nigerians that held public offices in the country, one man that should seal his lips whenever issues of corrupt practices are being discussed is former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.

“Everybody knew he was broke before he became a governor in 2003. Today, he is practically the richest former Governor in Nigeria, who was reported by Thisday newspaper in 2012, to have acquired a jet worth eleven billion naira for his luxury and he was said to be the first African to have procured such a jet as an individual.

“This is a man that has never flown in a commercial flight in the last ten or more years within Nigeria because he has fleets of jets he owns. This is someone that cannot survive outside the corridor of power from the days of military when he was running errands in the Villa and engaging in all sorts of things, all to make money”, he stated.

“It is really shocking that of all people, Sheriff can open his mouth to accuse any Nigerian of corruption, let alone a good and prudent man like Governor Kashim Shettima, who has won the hearts of so many with his numerous works for his people despite security challenges in Borno.

According to the governor’s aide, “I am only pitying those who take Sheriff seriously; from the Minister of State for power, Mohammed Wakil, to those within the Presidency, because the Sheriff we all know will dump them soon as he is through with them.

“Sheriff has been close to power at the centre since the days of Abacha. He was said to have made by Abacha has but after Abacha died, did he stand by the family? Is he even with the Abacha’s today?

“The same Sheriff became close to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the point that he was calling Obasanjo Baba; but is he with Obasanjo today?” he queried.

“When President Yar’adua was there, Sheriff worked with way through as usual but is he with the Yar’adua’s today? When governors, led by Bukola Saraki, were moving round the National Assembly to have then Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan become acting President, following the stalemate over Yar’adua’s health, was Sheriff ever there with his colleagues, governors to save the country and assist the current President? The video tapes are there with NTA and can be verified”, he further said.

“Today, Sheriff is trying to be more President Goodluck than Jonathan. Those close to President Goodluck Jonathan should be wise to know who they are dealing with. Today, he will call Governor Shettima all sorts of names and after the 2015 elections when he will be defeated like before, insha Allah, the same Sheriff will change tune; and should President Jonathan not be in a position to be of help to him, it will be a different thing all together.

“He simply needs money, because he lives by buying his ways. Those who have been following the trend of events in Borno state can attest to the fact that the administration of Governor Kashim Shettima is changing Borno for the better.

“If there is one Governor that has excuse not to lay a single block, it should have been Shettima due to security challenges. But out of patriotism and burning love for Borno, the Governor is fixing the State in the real sense as against corpse dressing that his predecessor did.

“The strides in Borno are today being compared with what obtains in States where insecurity wasn’t bequeathed to successors by predecessors. Out of ego and pride, Sheriff’s major worry is that no Governor should be re-elected in Borno state like he was re-elected. But like Governor Shettima has always said, it is Allah that gives power to whoever He wishes at His appointed time. Mere mortals can only roar where they should.

“The people of Borno state have seen the difference between Sheriff and Shettima and they will be the judge. Governor Shettima didn’t lose focus in governance in the face of more serious threats and dangers when Maiduguri was a no go area, when Sheriff and those with him all fled the State. Shettima will not lose focus now. He believes in Allah, relies on Him and he is with the people of Borno State” Gusau said.