Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha, has debunked speculations that he is set to part ways with his boss, Governor Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, APC, following overtures allegedly made to him by the Peoples Democratic Party.
The deputy governor told reporters in Abuja yesterday that he would rise and fall with Shetttima rather than abandon him or dump APC.
Mustapha said he had made a decision that Gov. Shettima would be the last person he would work with as deputy.
He also said that he did not see himself contesting as running mate or working under any other person, other than his boss, who he described as humble, a good listener and very consultative.
His words: “I have worked with His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima in the last three years and I can tell you that he is the best boss any deputy governor can have in Nigeria. He is so humble, kind; he is a good listener and very consultative. He respects me and protects my integrity as his deputy. What more can I ask for from a governor?
“I will rise or fall with him; I will stand by him through every step of the way, no matter what. Insha Allah, he will be the last governor I will serve as deputy because I don’t see myself being a running mate to any serving or past commissioner or anyone at all.
“Wherever Shettima stays, I stay; wherever he goes I go. This is my kind of person. I am an APC man and a committed one for that matter. My Governor is an APC man and I will support him.
“Together with leaders of the party at the national and state levels, we will move the party to a grand victory at all levels of the 2015 elections in Borno and the rest of Nigeria”.
On the APC congresses at the state and national levels, the deputy governor pleaded with aggrieved members to embrace peace.
He added: “It is God that gives power to anyone and it is also He that takes it or deny it to anyone.
“Politics is give-and-take and it is a game of strategizing and re-strategising. Sometimes, we don’t get what we want and sometimes we get it either as individuals or as groups, the important thing is for us to move forward.
“Those who win at every point in time should accommodate those who lost; everyone should be carried along so that we remain a family. We are always better together than being divided; we can always harmonise our interests – no matter how different.
“We must at all times put our country and our party first so that we commit ourselves to the values we stand for and move this country and our states forward.
“In Borno State, for instance, we had a very successful congress, but as we know only God is perfect. As humans, we are bound to make errors and at the same time make adjustments where there is need. It is the same with everything in this life. What is important, like I have said, is for us to forge ahead as a family, putting our past behind us”, the deputy governor added.
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