Shettima, Sheriff announce ceasefire, to pick candidates by consensus
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and his predecessor, Ali Modu Sheriff yesterday announced a ceasefire over the long feud between them that polarized the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The duo spoke at a press conference which held at the conference hall of Sheriff ’s private residence in Maiduguri where they both recognized the mediatory role played by Alhaji Kashim Imam, a two time gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is now a chieftain of the APC.
They promised to work together for the betterment of people of Borno, pointing out that it will be wrong to engage in political wrangling when the state was confronted by security challenges that is threatening its existence.
The meeting was attended by state chairman of the APC, Senator Kaka Mallam Yale, Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zanna Umar Mustapha; six members of the House of Representatives, Speaker and members of the Borno State House of Assembly and many stakeholders of the party.
Misunderstanding between Shettima and Sheriff manifested over leadership of the party during the formative stage of the APC after the merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (APC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
The crisis reached a crescendo last week, during the preparation for ward, local and state congresses of the APC.
“We have had some hiccups in the past but in the interest of our great party; in the interest of our people, we have resolved as a family to bury the hatchet and coalesce into one force to face the challenges that are confronting us as a people and as a community.
“We have resolved as a family and in line with the policy frame work of our party to go for consensus candidates for leadership positions in our wards and local governments. In the event where consensus cannot be reached, then there would be election for the positions,” Shettima said.
On his part, Sheriff said having served as governor for eight years, went to the Senate three times and also served as chairman, Board of Trustees of the ANPP, it would be erroneous for people to think that he was competing for leadership position of APC at the state level.
“The truth is that if APC as a political party loses a unit in Borno state today, I will be the number one loser because I know what it took me to build the then ruling party, ANPP.
Also speaking, Kashim Imam said all people of goodwill must work together to liberate Borno from the shackles of insecurity.