Transport: Gov Shettima does it like Obama

The call by economists and Nigerians in general for a reduction in the cost of running government at different levels in the country seem to fall on deaf hears, as reports emanating from Maiduguri, Borno State indicate that the state governor, Kashim Shettima travels around the state capital, Maiduguri, and other parts of the state, in a motorcade of over 15 cars.

Such cost no doubt is borne by the tax payers in a state that is presently ravaged by insurgency activities, and many people displaced from their homes with no means of livelihood, with per capital income less than one dollar a day.

The president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, reputed to be the most powerful man on the globe needing every form of security that can be provided, travels in a motorcade of about twenty cars.

The governor’s motorcade was reportedly attacked by youths on Sunday, with about 15 cars in the convoy destroyed in the process.

It was gathered that Governor Shettima had earlier planned to go round the state capital in the morning to inspect some projects and visit hospitals, but that when his security details informed him that the town was not safe for him, he had to delay the tour until 3pm.

At about 4pm, the thugs attacked his convoy along Kashim Ibrahim Way in Maiduguri, the state capital, leading to the destruction of about 15 vehicles in the convoy, while several people sustained injuries.

Sources said the youths, armed with cutlasses, knives and sticks, positioned themselves at strategic points waiting for the governor, who they alleged has failed the people of the state.

State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Ali Bukar Dalori, in his reaction, pointed accusing fingers at some political thugs associated with former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Dalori said the thugs came out from a campaign office belonging to Sheriff, called UTC and soon after the governor’s official vehicle had passed, the thugs went after vehicles in the convoy, smashing windscreens.

It was gathered that immediately he was informed of the attack, Governor Shettima restrained his security details from attacking the youths so as not to compromise ongoing counter insurgency operations.

Spokesman of ex-governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, however, said although neither himself nor his boss was in Maiduguri to know what transpired, he believes that those who attacked Governor Shettima were the hired APC thugs that were denied payment after they carried out the contract of destroying Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offices in the state during General Mohammed Buhari’s disrupted visit last Monday.

–Ripples

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