Says Obedients accused of recruiting terrorists in 2023
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed that President Bola Tinubu is not politicising insecurity in the country.
Shettima pointed out that the government remains committed to addressing the scourge.
The Vice President stated this yesterday in Abuja at a book launch titled My Life and Journalists Hangout, authored by TVC Director of News, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
The event was attended by the governors of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno; and Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“And be rest assured that the issue of security we have highlighted is receiving the toughest, toughest attention from President Bola Tinubu. But I’m not playing politics.
“I am telling the nature folk that we are very much concerned. We are very much worried. Because the essence of government is to provide security to life and property.
“The President is very much concerned, and the President is leaving no stone unturned to see that the issue of security of lives and property of Nigerians is fondly addressed,” he said.
He also disclosed that in 2023, supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as the Obidient Movement, accused him of recruiting terrorists during the electioneering period. He clarified that this was not the truth.
Shettima recalled how Babajide Kolade-Otitoju called him for clarification, which he provided, thereby clearing the air.
He said: “At the height of the 2023 political campaign, a video emerged purportedly of Kassim Shettima having lunch with Boko Haram terrorists. The obedient crowd recognised that lie and gave it life.
“I got a call from the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly that one Babajide wants to clear some evidence from you. I got in touch with him, and, true to his nature, he stoutly defended my position. The picture was taken at one of our school sites.
“We were building mega-schools across the length and breadth of Maiduguri. And most of the Mai guards in those schools were victims of Boko Haram. They were chased out of the Sambisa Forest.
“And we were encouraging them to enrol their ward into school by bringing them closer to us. We believe that they will earn us their confidence, and precisely those pictures were taken of the parents of our students.
“Eleven of them are now studying medicine and nursing at Maiduguri. And to the eternal credit of Governor Babagana Zulum, we built a school named after the former test lady Aisha Buhari. We are feeding them two meals per day.
“One thing that he did that has endeared him more to me was the fact that after my exit from office, you know, when you are in power, as I have always said, your friends know you. When you are out of power, you know your friends. He sustained it.
“We were releasing 15 million naira every month for the upkeep of those Fulani wards. And we specially designed that school for the Fulanis.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, solicited more support for the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
He also commended the media for balanced reportage on the activities of bandits without energising their crimes.
He said, “I also thank BKO for the effort to tell all sides of the story every time in a way that the truth is not compromised. The public deserves only the truth told from all sides of the argument.
“This is what allows society to grow in unity and peace. I commend BKO and all our friends in the media who do their work diligently.
“I am using this event to especially commend the media for their support for democracy and sustainable development, our democracy. In the core measure, I feel for more support for our security forces in the fight against banditry and terrorism and the strategic reporting of matters in a way that does not embolden or lionise criminals or make people easy targets for those who take access.
“Finally, I thank BKO for bringing a book to mark this day. It is a necessary addition to a deepening national conversation. I believe that the insights in the book will serve shared national interests in many ways.”
Earlier, the author, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, had charged the government to double its efforts to address insecurity, adding that it should embrace international collaboration, if needed, to ensure that bandits are subdued.
He said, “I want the government to address it in the best way that it can. Whatever the government thinks, even in the area of the economy, people keep pointing against it; that’s why the problem has to be addressed.
“I am sure, and I am confident; I am a believer in this government. I believe that solution will come sooner than we think.”