The coast appears clear for the re-election of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State as nine governorship candidates in Saturday’s election have shelved their ambition and announced their support for the governor.
The candidates announced their withdrawal from the race on Thursday after a long meeting with the governor at the Government House in Maiduguri.
According to the nine, the decision was taken after a careful assessment of the situation in Borno and their admittance that the incumbent governor had performed creditably well in the management of the affairs of the state.
One of the candidates, who spoke on behalf of others, Rufai Monguno of the Action Congress of Nigeria, said, “There is no point changing a winning horse. When we stepped up to answer the call of our teeming supporters to contest the governorship of our dear state, we had the welfare of our people and development of Borno State at heart. But we later realised that there is no use fighting over the seat when the incumbent governor, Kashim Shettima, has achieved all that we desired for Borno State.
“He has even better plans for the future of our beloved state. It was on that note that we came to the Government House to formally assure him that rather than contesting against him, we will mobilise all our supporters to ensure that he is returned as the next governor of Borno on April 11. We hereby step down for him.”
The governor described the action of the candidates as “an act of statesmanship worthy of commendation” and assured them that his government would continue to strive for better deal for the people of Borno State.
The nine candidates on the request of Shettima agreed to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission a letter of withdrawal to indicate the seriousness of their decision.
The nine governorship candidates are Rufai Monguno (ACN); Ajiya Bukar Auno (APGA); Babagana Musa (CPA); Ahmed Bulama Galtima (NCPN); Babagana Mala Bakomi (LP); Abu Sakwa (CPP); Ahmed Alhaji Bulama (ACPN); Abba Modu (SDP) and Joel Joseph (deputy governorship candidate of Accord Party who stood in for his boss at the meeting.
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