Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima has denied appointing Mrs Asabe
Kwambura, Principal of Government Secondary School, Chibok, state
commissioner for education.
According to DAILY POST, a denial
issued by Isa Gusau, Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to
Governor Shettima read, ''In the last one week, we have noticed a very
strange information being circulated by some online media platforms
claiming that Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State had nominated Mrs
Asabe Kwambura, Principal of Government Secondary School, Chibok for the
post of commissioner for education''.
''We completely ignored
the story for what it was, a mischievous joke and cheap blackmail that
didn’t deserve any response as it was mainly ‘trending’ on the social
media.
''However, we noticed and most unfortunately, that in
recent days, some otherwise respected F.M stations reported such a joke
without even making the slightest attempt to cross check with officials
in Borno State Government or at least, find out from journalists or
media houses that have correspondents resident in Borno State who are in
position to have accurate information about the activities of Governor
Kashim Shettima and general happenings in the State.
''To start
with, neither a President nor a Governor nominates anyone as Minister or
Commissioner for a particular ministry. The usual practice is to
nominate someone as Minister or Commissioner designate for screening by
lawmakers and it is only after nominees are approved by lawmakers and
administered oaths of offices and allegiance that they are allocated
Ministries. In Government procedures across Nigeria, only Special
Advisers, Heads of Federal or State Government establishments,
commissioners in commissions and certain chief executives are announced
by a President or Governor stating their specific responsibilities at
the time of their nomination for screening by lawmakers or in some
cases, they are out-rightly sworn in without lawmakers’ screening,
depending on constitutional requirements.
''Therefore, to say
that Governor Kashim Shettima has nominated Mrs Kwambura as commissioner
for education and that she was to undergo screening at the Borno State
House of Assembly simply indicates crass ignorance on government
procedures and which goes to confirm that the story was indeed, nothing
more than a joke that should only be told during comedy shows to
entertain audience. For the purpose of those who might have taken that
joke seriously, it can be verified that since the dissolution of the
Borno State Executive Council on May 27, 2015, Governor Kashim Shettima
is yet to nominate anyone for office of Commissioner.
''In fact,
the first and so far, the only appointments announced by the Governor
were those of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff,
media and other aides. It was just on Monday, June 22, 2015 that
Governor Shettima swore in these appointees. The issue of Commissioners
has not even been tabled. Anyone living in Borno State or following
developments there can bear testimony to the sacredness of the facts
aforementioned.
''It is, therefore, important to raise questions
on the source of that information about Kwambura’s nomination and the
motive behind it. To my understanding, the aim was merely to create an
impression that the Principal of Government Secondary School, Chibok,
was being ‘rewarded’ after the abduction of the schoolgirls. Perhaps the
aim was also to create doubts about the abduction or link it to the
Governor as was earlier attempted by officials that worked with the
immediate past PDP led Federal Government.
