Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, has reacted to media reports alleging he supported his Kano state counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on the creation of new emirates in Kano reportedly to prune down the influence of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi.
Fielding questions from journalists, Friday in Kaduna state, Shettima said he could never have spoken in support of the split of Kano emirate or taken sides against Governor Ganduje.
The governor, who spoke in the presence of Ganduje at the meeting of northern governors, said: “The context of my remark was completely changed… The Fact is that I could never have supported the development in Kano emirate or spoken against the governor.
“Governor Ganduje and his Highness Emir of Kano have done some things that have eternally endeared then to the people of Borno, and to me in particular.
“Governor Ganduje has adopted and granted lifetime scholarship, from primary school to 200 level in the university to 200 orphans from Borno state, whose parents were killed by Boko Haram.
“These children are provided with accommodation, feeding and being given very good education in Kano state under a special welfare programme that the governor approved.”
Speaking further he said: “On the other hand, the Emir of Kano was our main link to Alhaji Aliko Dangote…He has given the highest individual and private sector support to our humanitarian course.
“As Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Emir brought the CBN Entrepreneurship Development Center to Borno state back. He helped in raising global awareness to our situation in Borno.
“I will never forget the empathy shown to us by the emir and the governor and this is why I played the role of a bridge builder. And then, as governors, we have unwritten policy, we don’t openly interfere with one another’s issues. We only play background roles to lobby and appeal.”
