The Presidency has frowned at reports in a section of the media that President Goodluck Jonathan may have concluded plan to remove Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state and appoint a military administrator.
Sequel to escalation of attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents, President Goodluck Jonathan, last year declared a state of emergency in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa but did not tamper with the democratic structures.
However, the report says the President has penciled down a retired military general that will be appointed as military administrator in Borno to contain renewed attacks in the state that have led to loss of hundreds of innocent lives of late.
Presidential Media Adviser, Reuben Abati, while reacting to the report said it was in bad taste and a failed attempt to portray President Jonathan in bad light.
He therefore, enjoined the public to disregard the report as there was no plan whatsoever to remove the democratically elected governor.
His words, “It is preposterous; it does not make any sense. This is one of the states that government had declared a state of emergency twice, and in the two occasions, it did not remove the governors of the affected states.
“Nowhere does the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, recommend military rule over civilian rule in a democratic setting like Nigeria. And this is a government that has consistently placed emphasis on strict adherence to the rule of law.
“If there is need to extend the state of emergency in the states that are currently observing it, government would do so and not to remove a democratically elected governor.
“To suggest that the federal government is trying to impose a military government in a democratic dispensation is far-fetched. Let it not be another mischievous attempt in the media to project government in bad light”.
