23rd September, 2014
The Borno Government on said there was no disagreement between Governor Kashim Shettima and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Jidda.
Alhaji Abba Fugu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, offered the explanation in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
“The Borno State Government has noted with serious reservation some media reports, suggesting that the SSG was getting ready to resign from the cabinet over disagreement between him and Shettima.
“Government has ignored the very baseless reports for what they are,” Fugu said.
“However, some aspects of the Nigerian media have revisited the issue, hence the need to issue this statement to put the records straight.
For the avoidance of any doubt, Shettima and the SSG have a perfect relationship that is evident to anyone conversant with happenings within the government.”
“There was never an issue of the governor contemplating the sack of the SSG or the SSG contemplating resignation.
“We simply do not know the origin of the entire story, though it appears the handiwork of some mischief makers.
“They may be desperate to create an impression that all wasn’t well with the government of Borno in order to advance whatever political motive that could be in the offing.
“There is very high mutual respect and cordiality between the governor and the SSG as they assiduously work to better the lives of Borno people through exemplary governance.
“The Government of Borno State is very much intact and it remains focused towards the continued search for peace, progress and development of the State.
“Those spreading rumours about the government are advised to desist from attempts to add more problems to that of insurgency being faced in the state.
“The insurgency will come to an end in no distant time by the grace of God,” the statement read in part.
The statement also called on citizens of the state and other Nigerians to completely disregard any future publication of whatever kind that might be sponsored by enemies of the state.
According to the statement, rumour runners are trying to cause confusion in the state.
It expressed the state government’s profound appreciation over the support and prayers by the good people of Borno and other Nigerians.
The statement pledged government’s sustained drive to address the fundamental issues of security and other social and developmental needs of ‘Borno citizens’.