KASHIM/ZULUM: THE BOND THAT DEFIED PRECEDENCE

KASHIM/ZULUM: THE BOND THAT DEFIED PRECEDENCE

By: Inuwa Bwala

I was not previledged to be in the stakeholders meeting, at which the then Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima made public his endorsement of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to succeed him as Governor of Borno State in 2019.

That speech in which Kashim Shettima sacrificed friendship, filial relationship, political alignment and all forms of affinity with people who surrounded the seat of power then, was clearly the defining moment of Borno’s political turn around. While it seemed to have brought out the best in him as a statesman and patriot, it also underscored the bond of relationship between him and the incumbent Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

Those who attended the meeting told me that Kashim Shettima was virtually in tears, as he announced his preference to serve Borno as against his personal or group interest. As he reeled out the names of those he would have wished he handed over power to, every head was bowed: Some in disappointment, others in shame and yet others in retrospect to the need for a sacrifice for the good of Borno State.

I must confess that Shettima was at his oratorical best when he delivered that speech, and he seemed to have captured the aspirations of the people, in that moment of near despair. He re- echoed the opinions of most of those he consulted before endorsing Zulum, even when it was clear that he was at a labyrinth.

Since that day, Borno seems to be working again and everybody agrees that he could not have made a better choice than Professor Zulum, given the complexity of the Borno situation and the daunting challenges. 

It then appeared that only God, Kashim Shettima and Babagana Umara Zulum who was to succeed him understood the game plan. People initially gave Babagana Umara Zulum little or no chance to succeed, given his seeming inexperience in politics and the complexity of the Borno conundrum. 

I am not privy to whatever has been their private undertakings to each other, but unlike what obtains in other places, Shettima and Zulum have maintained a close collaborative understanding, thereby proving book makers wrong, that it was a matter of time before they disagreed and fell apart.

I think the secret behind that seeming unbroken bond is Shettima’s acceptance of his new status as a Senator and subordinate of Zulum and Professor Zulum’s display of open loyalty even in power. Each one of them refers to the other as the boss, and one wonders who actually is the boss.

I have observed that Shettima seldom goes to Maiduguri, thereby minimizing his visibility at public functions. I have not yet heard of his meddlesomeness in governance and I cannot see him attempting to tele-guide the Governor on matters of state.

The story of how Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso fell out with his erstwhile Deputy Umar Ganduje, in Kano,  Rotimi Amaechi and his erstwhile Chief of Staff, Nyeson Wike, in Rivers,  Ali Modu Sheriff and his erstwhile godson Kashim Shettima, in Borno, George Akume and his successor Samuel   Ortom in Benue, amongst others, readily come to mind as a likely scenario that will play out between Shettima and Zulum’s m in Borno. But apparently conscious of these tendencies, Shettima and Zulum maintained a balance that has so far defied the precedents Bo no and in other places.

To the surprise of everybody and to the charging of those who wished he would fail, Babagana Umara Zulum hit the ground running: undertaking exceptional tours and taking vital decisions that saw to making Borno the cynosure of attention.

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True to Senator Shettima’s postulations to the effect that Zulum will surpass his record, the Governor is today a reference personality in leadership and governance.

Senator Kashim Shettima was quoted as saying he has no regrets doing what he did with Zulum and he will do it again given the same circumstances. Zulum was also quoted to have said that he shall remain faithful to his covenant with Shettima and the people of Borno State.

Whatever one thinks is the bond that has held Kashim Shettima and Babagana Zulum together, it remains a fact that their relationship has served out a lesson in power change. Shettima’s 2019 speech, which is being recycled by Facebook shall remain a watershed that redefined Borno’s political history and underscored the need for a unity that will outlive players in the political chess game.

Theirs is one bond that seems to have defied the precedence of betrayal and mischief.

KASHIM/ZULUM: THE BOND THAT DEFIED PRECEDENCE