Former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Accused of Transforming State Into ‘Hell Fire’ by Atiku Abubakar’s Spokesperson
ABUJA/Nigeria: In a scathing statement issued on Thursday, September 9, 2023, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communications to Atiku Abubakar, has lashed out at former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, accusing him of turning the state from ‘the Home of Peace’ into a place akin to ‘hell fire.’ Shaibu’s response came in reaction to Shettima’s recent speech at the Presidential Election Petition Court, where Shettima defended his legacy.
Shaibu did not mince words, stating that Shettima had failed abysmally as both governor and chief security officer of Borno State. He criticized Shettima’s governance record as one of the worst in Nigerian history, highlighting his inability to alleviate poverty in the state.
Shaibu remarked, “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have responded to Kashim Shettima since he has an incurable speech deficiency, which is so severe that most Nigerians can hardly understand what he says. However, for the sake of the reading public, this response becomes very important.”
He further criticized Shettima for his penchant for making lackluster jokes, citing instances where Shettima had made controversial comments about Vice-President Osinbajo and expressed admiration for former dictator Sani Abacha. Shaibu also mocked Shettima’s dressing choices during public appearances.
According to Shaibu, Shettima’s habit of deriding others stems from his inability to provide substantive achievements for himself or his political ally, Bola Tinubu, whose three months in office, Shaibu claimed, had worsened poverty and inflation.
Shaibu continued to paint a grim picture of Shettima’s tenure as governor, alleging that Borno State had been “completely taken over by terrorists” during Shettima’s time in office. He criticized Shettima for ignoring security warnings about an impending attack on Chibok, which eventually led to the abduction of over 250 schoolgirls.
In a scathing remark, Shaibu asserted, “Even though he left government four years ago, the millions of residents of Borno State have yet to recover from the mistake called Shettima. Rather than be penitent, he continues to move about like a clown, making unsolicited dry jokes about others.”
Shaibu also took issue with Shettima’s remarks about the Fombina kingdom and advised the former governor to focus on seeking forgiveness from God for his alleged role in the suffering of the people of Borno State.
Shaibu urged Kashim Shettima to adopt a more dignified and statesmanlike demeanor, suggesting that he attend a finishing school on a scholarship from Atiku Abubakar to learn how to behave as a polished statesman.
