Boko Haram: Gov Shettima Blasts Okupe, Visits Jonathan Again Over Latest Attack
Editor
Posted On Feb 20, 2014
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has reacted to the comments made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, that the military was winning the war against Boko Haram insurgents.
Shettima who spoke through a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mallam Isa Gusau noted that it was unfortunate that Okupe disregarded “the sensitivity of a highly traumatic people for no other reason but cheap goal of showing he is working.”
Okupe had faulted the governor’s claim on Monday that Boko Haram members were better armed and motivated than Nigerian soldiers battling to end insurgency in the North-East.
When asked why he would be meeting the President for the second time within 48 hours if he was not summoned, Shettima said, “Do I need your consent to come and see my President? He is the President of Nigeria and I need to update him adequately on the goings-on in my state.
“I came on my own. He is the President of Nigeria for God’s sake. Why can’t I come and update him? Is it wrong or is it a crime to do so?”
In the statement by Gusau, Shettima said it was an irony that while Okupe didn’t find the senseless killing of over 300 innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram in February alone worthy of a press briefing, he found it urgent and convenient to attack an honest opinion expressed by him.
Gusau noted that the governor’s honest remark was a case of “one who wears the shoes knows where they pinch.”
According to him, most people can testify that he had over the years been very diplomatic, but has had to open up for Nigerians to appreciate the situation on ground.
The statement reads in part, “A leader must be bold enough to tell the truth so that solutions can be found to critical situations.
“Dr. Okupe should kindly note that; if he is finding a governor to drive any rift with the Presidency, he has not found one in Shettima, because those who know him (Shettima )know him to be honest, courageous, respectful, humble but also dogged.”
It added that the governor was optimistic that with continued commitment through sustained deployment of the right military resources and men, the Boko Haram insurgency would end.
Meanwhile, the governor or the second time in about 48 hours, Wednesday met with President Goodluck Jonathan over Boko Haram attacks in his state.
Shettima told State House correspondents that he was at the Presidential Villa to update Jonathan on a fresh attack that took place in Bama on Wednesday.
The governor said although he had briefed the President on the development, he had yet to get the actual casualty figure.
“There was an attack on Bama. We have yet to get the actual number of casualties but I am told they have inflicted a lot of damage on the town,” he said.
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