Kashim Shettima: On the Day of valedictory for Senators Exiting the Red Chamber

Kashim Shettima: On the Day of valedictory for Senators Exiting the Red Chamber

By: James Bwala

‘Distinguished Colleagues, we should all anticipate and embrace this beautiful circle of life. The only thing about life is the change component….With the exit of Habu Kyari. I am going to be save from one embarrassing scene of a colleague coming up to greet me anytime I came into the chamber. Of a colleague rushing in to pick my papers when I am leaving the hallow chamber not out of any slavish loyalty but out of genuine respect and affection’. 

These were few words from Kashim Shettima – former Borno state governor and senator representing Borno Central at the National Assembly while he was speaking at a parting session for some of his colleagues, who were leaving the senate for a higher assignments. 

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Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor and senator representing Nasarawa state is taking a new position of the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC following his emergence as the party Chairman in the March 26, 2022 convention. Shettima who described the valedictory session as a celebration of life and achievements said Adamu has remained a constant present with an enduring legacy in the political evolution in Nigeria.

According to him, Senator Abubakar Kyari represents a consistent foundation, which was born with a silver spoon but is a study of consummate humility and dedicated service. While recalling on his relationship with Kyari, Kashim Shettima gave an expressive lessons from their relationship in the most kindly manner that flattered and weakens one to a thunderstruck.

Speaking on Senator Nasiha, Kashim Shettima lines on the man further explained why he (Shettima) would always remain an Icon of purist political devotion. With associated style of admonishment he acquires the floor and feels the control in his hold of the atmosphere where he stands to speak.

Neatly tailoring his words and building it around people and environment that are present at the occasion, Senator Kashim Shettima has constantly capture the minds of his listeners to the extent that given any opportunity there are no changes that the surrounding where he speak could remain uncharged and without going rattling beyond the lines of political mix. Indeed, his blended and captivating words made him over the years the beauty of power and leadership.

While drawing a lesson for politicians from the stories he told of the three Senators, Kashim Shettima captured the mood of the occasion by his long memories of event mentioning. The lessons he presented are key to sustaining not only politicians but also any individual who found himself either in power or around it.

One of the lessons he put to his listeners is to have a constant reminder in the circle of life and political journey as leaders and followers and to see the need to keep uprightness in pursue of political power and endeavour.

Zigzagging on his background with Senator Abubakar Kyari, the former Borno governor recalled the historic rise of Senator Kyari as a child born into a life of privilege but whose character has defined loyalty in a way un-naturally of the assumption of such embodiment. 

The lessons he gave from his speech, made me recalled some political heroes I could count with such unique qualities and motivations. I was trying to understand their political moves and how they were able to win people by their speech. I was carefully putting down names of those politicians I personally know and have interacted with. While admiring their unique and strategical moves, I observed so many tactical and strategical moves they adopted in their career as politicians that makes them different.  

Senator Kashim Shettima has been a great politician and a good student of many heroes, who captured their world by their speeches. While he speaks of his colleagues he picks every moment he shared with such an acceptable contact that he knows on the address on which he speaks. I see a strategic Shettima displaying the odd in his own style but that style has remained the edge he has over others in his current position.

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Senator Kashim Shettima may perhaps not see himself as a leading political figure in Borno state today, however, those who have followed political history in the state would no doubt agree to this account. 

In my early days of reporting since the return of democracy in 1999, I see the rising of many political figures in Borno state that have made name and hold sway in politics but they lack such lessons to keep them afloat on the political waters. Such lessons as Kashim Shettima gave through his speech on this day of valedictory  are the needful for those who want to make a difference in their rising to power.

Senator Kashim Shettima was different and unique in his approach to welding power. Although described as an accidental politician, Kashim Shettima has brought civility into the game as a king and a self-styled leader at the centre of the political play.

While others in the past has abducted to the traditional way of politicking where political leaders employ fear to greet their followings into accepting them as leaders, Senator Kashim Shettima has been strategic and tactical in employing what I called ‘weakened by kindness’ in controlling power for a maximum impact.

Kashim Shettima: On the Day of valedictory for Senators Exiting the Red Chamber