Shettima says suspension of election in emergency states will show Boko Haram’s supremacy over FG

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has reacted to news reports indicating that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has excluded his State from the 2015 elections.

Shettima said the decision has grave repercussions for the country.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Shettima said “2015 is very far away for all mortals, only God, our creator knows who will get to 2015 and in what state of health. It is also Allah that gives power to anyone He wills, at the time He wills, and how He wills.

“I have read the papers today and listened to the broadcast media. The INEC Chairman, a man associated with honour, integrity, an erudite and respected scholar, Professor Attahiru to me, has not committed any sin by his proposal, I commend Professor Jega for INEC’s early preparations.

“I also think he is being sincere because if he had an ulterior motive he wouldn’t reveal the issue now, he could have waited till when Allah spares our lives in 2015 and he would announce the exclusion of the States by which time, politics could be intense and every segment would be dealing with its own political issues.

“By the way, the INEC chairman hasn’t foreclosed the participation of the three affected States in 2015; he even said the proposal is dependent on hopes that security improves in the affected States which is what we all want. But one important thing we should not ignore as a sovereign country is that suspending national election such as the 2015 in any part of the 36 States and the FCT on account of Boko Haram activities would amount to making the insurgents supreme over the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it will be defeatist on our part as a nation”.

The Governor who spoke through his spokesman, Isa Gusau, added that “The goal of Boko Haram is to impose their beliefs on us, subvert our constitution and our democracy and replace them with inhuman laws that support killings and destructions, and should we suspend any part of the country whether in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa or any place at all from taking part in the 2015 election, it will presuppose successes on the part of the insurgents and they will be itching close to achieving their goals and we cannot allow that.

“We must insist that Nigeria is our sovereign country, we are the majority and a few cannot violently force their views on us. I expect that as a strategy, Borno and Yobe and indeed any place so affected by the insurgents, should be the main focus for conduct of the 2015 elections by the INEC so that we send a clear message to those who want us to go into extinction that we will not cave in to their violent needs, we will move on.

“This is why, governance hasn’t for one day, stopped in Borno State. With Allah’s help made through the sacrifices, rooted support and prayers of our citizens, we have continued to rebuild and reinvent our very dear State. We would have been stagnant if we caved in to threats and by that, denied our citizens their rights to infrastructures and welfare services needed to improve their standards of living.

“I am very much aware of our constitutional and moral obligations to secure the lives and property of our citizens as a primary duty. We are working round the clock to live to that obligation no matter the circumstance and we will remain focused and committed. I am eternally optimistic, without being blind to realities and challenges that with our determination, insha Allah, Borno will be very stable sooner than later, and I pray it will be so across the country, but even if need be, there could a special date for elections in these affected States such that there can be massive security deployment to man everywhere to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, by that we will triumph over evil.

“But suspending the elections even in a polling unit mainly on account of Boko Haram will be a setback in the fight against terror, it will not be good for us as a country and it is bad for our reputation abroad. I must say that our security men have done marvelously well, they are our heroes like our youths, we should remain firm as a resilient nation; suspending the 2015 elections in Borno will make mockery of the sacrifices made by those who laid their lives to defend our constitutional democracy.

“We will be insulting their memories that we should preserve. I, like all good citizens of Borno, firmly believe in a creed, that we must with courage, say no to those who desire our destruction, Borno is our land, we will flourish in it, no matter how tough and this has to be the national spirit. I therefore call on the Federal Government, all stakeholders in the country and friends of Nigeria to look at the issue with analytical mindset far beyond what reasons we might be talking about now.

“If Boko Haram is able to stop elections in three States, they might in no time, simply target additional States and gradually, they might stop elections in Nigeria; we can’t allow that. More than the constitutional crisis, the decision may plunge the country into deepening political suspicions; the implication of suspending elections on account of insurgency will be grave, it would show supremacy of evil over good.

“It would strengthen insurgents and give them basis to foresee the ultimate victory they violently seek. Moreover, Borno is safer today compared to the time we held elections in 2011 and insha Allah, peace will continue to grow and Borno will bounce back as the home of peace that it was known for since Nigeria became independent.

“I pray Allah grants us peace, stability and prosperity in Borno and all parts of Nigeria, and I pray that we will have a smooth, credible and peaceful transition in 2015 insha Allah” the Governor said.