William Shakespeare, seemed to have had Borno politics at the back of his mind when he wrote, his famous play play, titled Julius Caesar. Central to the theme of that play was the issue of conspiracy. In it, the common grudge against Julius Caesar amongst the eight conspirators that eventually murdered the protagonist, was envy. Julius Caesar’s exploits were so many, the last of which was the defeat of Pompey at the war front. To them, Caesar was an ordinary man, and at the same level with him. They were worried by his rising political profile, and fear that he may become Rome’s political leader. Generally regarded as a very intelligent, very strong in character, pragmatic in approach, and with high prospects of becoming Rome’s Emperor, they rallied the support of people, including Caesar’s friend and confident, Dennis Brutus and eventually murdered him, before his fans at the Capitol.
A similar scenario is playing out around former Borno State Governor, now Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima. No doubt, Kashim Shettima, is the son of an ordinary man, tending towards becoming, the foremost political leader in Borno or even Nigeria. And like Julius Caesar of the Shakespearean fame, Kashim Shetima, has distinguished himself as an upcoming statesman, thus he has become a target for political envy and blackmail.
His pedigree as Governor and his outing in the Senate so far places Kashim Shettima well above his contemporaries. Kashim may not be a saint, but he goes down in history, as taking over the reins of leadership in Borno at a very challenging period, and did his best to set the state on the path of recovery. He will always be remembered for giving the people of Borno one of the best Governors in history: talking about the incumbent Governor, Professor Babgana Umara Zulum. On the floor of the Senate, Kashim Shettima has been outstanding in his contributions, to the effect that he was given one of the most sensitive committees to head in the Senate.
It was not surprising, as Senator Shettima must have known that having scored a masterstroke against his adversaries in the last election, they will someday, somehow come for his jugular veins. But, some of feel it was too early in the day, to start battling against 2023, when only God knows what the year holds in its bosom. those who feel uncomfortable with Kashim as a potential political leader in Borno, have like their Roman counterparts, started what could be likened to the Shakespearean conspiracy of the regency era, by first embarking on a smear campaign, to either halts his continuous rise stardom or embarrass him, or both, so as ensure their own political survival. It is worrisome that, having failed to get a reason to cause a rift between Kashim Shettima and his successor, they have decided to employ the services of master mischief strategists, to do the job.
Some of us are aware of the various plots to get back at Kashim Shettima, by some estranged political fellows. Some of us have been approached to be part of the grand design. For this reason and other imputations, I wish to reiterate that, the alarm raised by the Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria, COCMEGG, in faraway Lagos, on the planned mischief against Senator Kashim Shettima, is as real as sun rise after dawn. What came to me as a surprise was the timing and the take-off idea, which put the worth of Kashim Shettima at $900 million.
I know as a matter of fact, but without having to mention names, that some of the former political office holders amongst them are almost bankrupt. Having created a myth about their own wealth, with the false impression that they were the most single wealthy individuals that ever held political office, it is only logical to conclude that, they want to drag others into the murky waters of corruption allegation. I wanted to ask the question as to why the log in the eyes of those who make the allegation is being ignored, only to point to the piece of grass in Kashim Shettima’s eyes.
But for the fact that, the kite being flown is part of an orchestrated grand plan, one could have ignored the dubious assumptions, but knowing also that Nigerians may tend believe cock/ bull stories, it is pertinent to state that Kashim Shettima does not have the pedigree of boasting over his endowments, including his rich intellectual endowment, and could not have twitted, or stated through any medium that this is his worth. Those who tried to attribute such a strange attitude to him, seem to be in so much rush that they seemed to have forgotten to make a check on Shettima’s story, even from cradle.
I have keenly followed developments around Senator Kashim Shettima since he left office as governor, to become a Senator, and I cannot remember hearing or seeing any boastful statement, to the effect that he is worth $900 million, in cash or in investments. Nobody could have believed him even if had done so, as the total accruals to Borno State during his entire four years might be a mite more than the total sum we are talking about. Except if he stole the entire allocation to the state for the whole period; which I know did not happen.
I am a witness to the massive infrastructural developments across Borno State, most of which were managed by no other person that the incumbent Governor, Professor Babgana Zulum; whom everybody agreed is a prudent manager of resources and an honest public officer. I challenge those who fabricated the $900 million tale to give a hint of where the money could have come from, and whether the State government has complained of any missing funds, which the former Governor might have stolen.
In all honesty, I do not know the worth of Senator Kashim Shettima in cash, but it is certainly ridiculous to put his estimated cash in the sum being peddled. It is even more absurd attributing the source of the information to the same man whose integrity is being put at stake with such an allegation. I know as matter of fact that the senator has dully declared his assets, which include possible cash at hand, and I know as a matter fact that the authorities would not have ignored such a revelation, if it was ever contained in the declarations by Senator Kashim Shettima.
I know as a matter of fact that Borno may be the political melting pot as usual in 2023, but I also know as a matter of fact that the next match may be played without the participation of envious party men, who will not mind rocking the boat for others or pulling down great men. Those who have held office before should know that they are gone with the season, and no man can be a man for all seasons. As form us in Borno, Kashim Shettima has bequeathed to us a legacy, in the nomination of Zulum, and ensuring his victory as Governor. Those who feel they have better materials than we have presently are free to come forward in a free and fair contest. It is a sad story that the whole conspiracy is being hatched by fellow party men. If it is true as I know it is then…
Inuwa Bwala was the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture under Kashim Shettima’s administration.
